An update from the previous post: My friend's little boy was diagnosed with a Wilms tumor which was Stage 2 cancer. He received a port yesterday and his first round of chemo. This will continue weekly for 6 months. Her updates remain positive and they are thankful that he's done so well. Add them to your prayer lists, as the road ahead may be long. Joni is an amazing mother, and I don't mean that lightly. She sets a godly example in the midst of her storm for so many. I hope you get to sleep in your own bed tonight, Joni : )
I leave bright and early tomorrow for a wedding. For many years in high school and college, I had the best summer (and spring break and Christmas break) job EVER. I babysat the Parkers. Loved it. What was not to love? They slept late. When we did get up, we ate lunch, and then went to Grandmother Ann's for a swim. I think I was told at one time I more of a lifeguard than a babysitter. Ashton and I might have slid down the stairs in the laundry basket a time or 5, while Garret was the more responsible one. He wouldn't even join us for the ceremonial "licking of the bowl" after we made brownies. He did teach me a few things, including how to make a great grilled cheese sandwich, and possible how to boil eggs for Ashton's tuna fish. I am realizing I could go on and on as I am starting to remember things I'd forgotten. I hated mixing that tunafish, Ashton. Do you still eat that? I loved spending time with the Parkers. Tomorrow Garret gets married. I'm still not sure he's old enough for this ; ) Congratulations. May this be one of the best things you've ever done.
On a lighter note, it's Friday. And I have a workshop. In Troy. Hardee's biscuit? Yes. I just ran so surely a biscuit is in order. The last mile, I might add, was in the rain. And it was NICE. Happy Friday!
Friday, March 9, 2012
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Dear God:
For the last few weeks, I've felt a little whiney. Ok, ALOT whiney. For no apparent reason. But this week I learned something that I've known all along- Things could be much worse. And I should be grateful for the way they ARE.
I didn't meet B until I was 26. I spent many Friday and Saturday nights alone. I have a friend who I went to high school with, but didn't know very well until later. The way we got to be friends...I won't go there. But it's an amusing story. We spent many nights trying to stay out past 10:00, and guess how many people we would see at Walmart that we knew. The person who got closest without going over won. We shared lots of dinners and conversations about what our husbands would be like one day, among other things. We dated different people and shared tears when things went south. As I type this post, I am smiling thinking of the stories we have from dates we went on. She was always an encourager, sending cards during hard times. She felt called to be a mommy and raise a family. She's fulfilling that calling. And she's amazing at it. Her husband also coaches, and on the afternoons that I am tired of being home alone, I call her to vent and to remind myself that if she can manage with 4 kids, surely I can handle my 1.
Last week, my friend found out that her baby boy has a tumor on his kidney. He just turned 1. He will have surgery to remove his kidney on Monday morning. They have been told that it is likely cancer, but will know more after surgery. I can't imagine what this experience is like for her. I don't post alot of "pray for" posts, simply because I think sometimes we take prayer too lightly. We read the post and go on with our days, treating the post as more of a source of information, than a tool. But I think so much of my friend. She is a blessing. When she says she'll pray, I believe she prays, even when she has 4 kids to chase after. So I would like to ask you to take time to sincerely pray for this sweet family between now and Monday. Pray that they will experience God's presence in the midst of this time.
May we all remember that when life gets us down, there are many who have it much worse. May we look at what's right, instead of what's wrong. And may we know that God is in the midst of it all.
I didn't meet B until I was 26. I spent many Friday and Saturday nights alone. I have a friend who I went to high school with, but didn't know very well until later. The way we got to be friends...I won't go there. But it's an amusing story. We spent many nights trying to stay out past 10:00, and guess how many people we would see at Walmart that we knew. The person who got closest without going over won. We shared lots of dinners and conversations about what our husbands would be like one day, among other things. We dated different people and shared tears when things went south. As I type this post, I am smiling thinking of the stories we have from dates we went on. She was always an encourager, sending cards during hard times. She felt called to be a mommy and raise a family. She's fulfilling that calling. And she's amazing at it. Her husband also coaches, and on the afternoons that I am tired of being home alone, I call her to vent and to remind myself that if she can manage with 4 kids, surely I can handle my 1.
Last week, my friend found out that her baby boy has a tumor on his kidney. He just turned 1. He will have surgery to remove his kidney on Monday morning. They have been told that it is likely cancer, but will know more after surgery. I can't imagine what this experience is like for her. I don't post alot of "pray for" posts, simply because I think sometimes we take prayer too lightly. We read the post and go on with our days, treating the post as more of a source of information, than a tool. But I think so much of my friend. She is a blessing. When she says she'll pray, I believe she prays, even when she has 4 kids to chase after. So I would like to ask you to take time to sincerely pray for this sweet family between now and Monday. Pray that they will experience God's presence in the midst of this time.
May we all remember that when life gets us down, there are many who have it much worse. May we look at what's right, instead of what's wrong. And may we know that God is in the midst of it all.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
They call it LIFE.
Disclaimer: This post is a bit "all over the place".
I'm not sure the funk is gone, but I'm attempting a cheerier blog post this week. I've spent some time mulling over the funk and trying to figure out the source of it. Every reason I come up with just sounds like whining so I'll spare you.
Ella Kate is repeating most words we say. Scary, huh? She is hilarious. Everything is "gone" according to her. One of the girls who rides to school with us suggested I teach her the word "here" as well. Funny. She tells everyone and every animal to "shhhhh". B says it's because we're teachers. It's in her genes. She makes us smile. And laugh. Often. Love her.
In other news (caution: not cheery), do you keep up with Alabama's Lawmakers and the decisions they're making? I do. They have a lot of say about education among other things. WSFA reported yesterday that they may be getting a cost of living raise. Seriously? The report said the average salary was $55,000 a year. WOW. Most teachers don't make that for a full time job. They make me sick. And angry. Moving on.
I have a Pinterest addiction. If you don't, you should. B says it's costing him money. However, it's feeding him well. I've been trying out several recipes. I recommend the pizza roll and the Cracker Barrell chicken tenders. GREAT. Next round, I'm going for the cinnamon rolls. I'll let you know how they turn out. Pinterest has given me lots of projects. I want new curtains for my french doors, a calendar from a picture frame, and a dress made from a tank and 2 yds of fabric. Along with about 100 other things.
Have a great week.
I'm not sure the funk is gone, but I'm attempting a cheerier blog post this week. I've spent some time mulling over the funk and trying to figure out the source of it. Every reason I come up with just sounds like whining so I'll spare you.
Ella Kate is repeating most words we say. Scary, huh? She is hilarious. Everything is "gone" according to her. One of the girls who rides to school with us suggested I teach her the word "here" as well. Funny. She tells everyone and every animal to "shhhhh". B says it's because we're teachers. It's in her genes. She makes us smile. And laugh. Often. Love her.
In other news (caution: not cheery), do you keep up with Alabama's Lawmakers and the decisions they're making? I do. They have a lot of say about education among other things. WSFA reported yesterday that they may be getting a cost of living raise. Seriously? The report said the average salary was $55,000 a year. WOW. Most teachers don't make that for a full time job. They make me sick. And angry. Moving on.
I have a Pinterest addiction. If you don't, you should. B says it's costing him money. However, it's feeding him well. I've been trying out several recipes. I recommend the pizza roll and the Cracker Barrell chicken tenders. GREAT. Next round, I'm going for the cinnamon rolls. I'll let you know how they turn out. Pinterest has given me lots of projects. I want new curtains for my french doors, a calendar from a picture frame, and a dress made from a tank and 2 yds of fabric. Along with about 100 other things.
Have a great week.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Let's Be Real for a Moment
I'm in a funk. I think. Just disgusted, frustrated, mad. I know that I'm blessed...so very much. But I'd be lying if I typed out some oh, happy day blog tonight. A little over a week ago the stomach bug visited our house and several other houses of our friends and family (sorry!). It was BAD. At some point I called my mother crying and asked her to please leave work and come help me. At some point I called B's mother (like around 2a.m.) and asked her to please come over. They both did. (Thank you!) It just was not how I envisioned last weekend. We were supposed to have a date complete with a babysitter. Instead we ate jello and tried to recover. And that's where the funk began I think.
I'm frustrated with people. I'm frustrated with life in general. I'm concerned about changes that seem to be coming whether I like them or not. It's just life. And it seems to all pile on at once. I am more than blessed. More is right with life than is wrong. I just get discouraged from time to time. If we're honest, we all do, right?
I'm frustrated with people. I'm frustrated with life in general. I'm concerned about changes that seem to be coming whether I like them or not. It's just life. And it seems to all pile on at once. I am more than blessed. More is right with life than is wrong. I just get discouraged from time to time. If we're honest, we all do, right?
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Spring has sprung?
Wow. Is it Spring already??? I am loving this weather. But I'm wondering if it will be this nice when it's actually spring. Makes me want to break out my white pants and sandals. Or at least go shopping for new white pants and sandals. ( I'm kidding, Bradley. Don't panic.) We got the cards today that tell how much our car tags are. Looks like I ain't gonna be buying nothin' for a while ; ) I know that's incorrect grammar. But it makes it so much more dramatic.
We enjoyed dinner with a friend of B's Saturday night in Dothan. We didn't plan to have dinner, but we ran into them while shopping. It was a nice surprise.
Basketball is drawing to a close. How nice it will be to come home in the afternoons. I can nap, stalk people on facebook, read, sew, look at Pinterest, cook, do my nails. Ha, who am I kidding? We'll be blowing bubbles, taking wagon rides, and watching Mickey Mouse. And that's fine by me. I must keep a better eye on her though. She brought me 2 pieces of dog poop on Saturday while we were outside playing. On Sunday, I dozed off after changing her diaper. We awoke to find her in the floor playing in it like mud. Hence, the reason we missed Sunday School. She had also walked in it. We were cleaning carpets AND Ella Kate.
Looking forward to seeing old friends and celebrating the upcoming arrival of a new baby this weekend. It's been too long. Hope you all have a great Friday and an extra great weekend.
We enjoyed dinner with a friend of B's Saturday night in Dothan. We didn't plan to have dinner, but we ran into them while shopping. It was a nice surprise.
Basketball is drawing to a close. How nice it will be to come home in the afternoons. I can nap, stalk people on facebook, read, sew, look at Pinterest, cook, do my nails. Ha, who am I kidding? We'll be blowing bubbles, taking wagon rides, and watching Mickey Mouse. And that's fine by me. I must keep a better eye on her though. She brought me 2 pieces of dog poop on Saturday while we were outside playing. On Sunday, I dozed off after changing her diaper. We awoke to find her in the floor playing in it like mud. Hence, the reason we missed Sunday School. She had also walked in it. We were cleaning carpets AND Ella Kate.
Looking forward to seeing old friends and celebrating the upcoming arrival of a new baby this weekend. It's been too long. Hope you all have a great Friday and an extra great weekend.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Eleven
Here are the rules: 1. Post these rules. 2. You must post 11 random things about yourself. 3. Answer the questions set for you in their post. 4. Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer. 5. Go to their blog and tell them you've tagged them. 6. No stuff in the tagging section about you are tagged if you are reading this. You legitimately have to tag 11 people.
11 Random Things about Me:
1. I don't do condiments, sauces, dips, etc. I do PLAIN.
2. I just got a sewing machine. Now if I could just figure out how to use it.
3. I love my job. Some days I want to choke them. I'm sure some of them would like to choke me. But it is SO rewarding.
4. We only do Walmart once a month. Or that's our goal. We spend way to much in there.
5. I get really excited about lunchroom steak nuggets.
6. AND fish nuggets.
7. B and I got married 9 months after our first date. When you're old like us, you just know.
8. I don't like my food to touch and I've been known to "mop" my plate with a paper towel.
9. I've always had fairly short hair and I'm currently trying to grow it out. This is hard for me. I'm not sure why.
10. I have grown to really ENJOY my morning runs. It's my "Hope time". And even better is the 15 minutes afterwards when I get to sit in the recliner and look at Pinterest.
11. I bought 3 cases of Coke Zero today. You would think this would get me to the end of February when I'll make my next Walmart trip, but chances are, they'll be gone long before then.
Mandi's questions for me:
How long should you know/date someone before marriage?
Before I met B, I would have said at least a year, but in reference to #7 above, if you know, you know. Do it.
What is your favorite memory of me and you?
I'm going with the lunches during those awful internship meetings.
What is one book that everyone must read?
The Help. Absolutely. I didn't have to think about this one.
Which is better, a rainy day at home watching movies or a sunny day outside?
Do I have to choose????? I love being lazy, so if I MUST choose, I pick a rainy day. Naps, PJ's, and plenty of movies and books. Yes, I'll take it.
What do you remember most about your childhood?
How my brother ALWAYS got the middle cinnamon roll. I'm scarred for life.
Biggest pet peeve?
Lazy people who raise their children to be lazy people. Also at the top of that list would be people who act nice, but really aren't.
Favorite weird food combo?
Combo? I'm not combining anything. Reference #8 above.
Sonic or Dairy Queen?
Wouldn't it be nice to have a choice? I guess Dairy Queen.
Favorite name for a boy? Girl?
Harrison for a boy/Ella Kate (obviously) for a girl
Outdoor/church/other wedding?
Church Wedding
Most effective diet exercise plan you've tried?
Running. It works. And it makes me feel good.
My questions for my friends:
1. Lake or ocean?
2. Favorite season?
3. Do you talk to people you don't know (for example: in the grocery store, WalMart, etc.)?
4. Favorite movie of all time?
5. Silver or gold?
6. If you could drive any vehicle, what would you choose?
7. What is one quirky thing you do?
8. Do you tend to arrive places early or late?
9. What do you have for breakfast most mornings?
10. Do you consider yourself a tidy person?
11. What is one thing you're thankful for?
I tag: (I'm not sure I know 11 people with blogs???)
http://thehystericaldistrict.blogspot.com/
http://ramerbunch.blogspot.com/
http://mattandmorganspivey.blogspot.com/
http://forusitsjustonebigwaltz.blogspot.com/
http://athomewiththemaness.blogspot.com/
http://mattandcotygeohagan.blogspot.com/
http://hardys4ua.blogspot.com/
http://tillmanslife.blogspot.com/
http://inthelifeofe.blogspot.com/
11 Random Things about Me:
1. I don't do condiments, sauces, dips, etc. I do PLAIN.
2. I just got a sewing machine. Now if I could just figure out how to use it.
3. I love my job. Some days I want to choke them. I'm sure some of them would like to choke me. But it is SO rewarding.
4. We only do Walmart once a month. Or that's our goal. We spend way to much in there.
5. I get really excited about lunchroom steak nuggets.
6. AND fish nuggets.
7. B and I got married 9 months after our first date. When you're old like us, you just know.
8. I don't like my food to touch and I've been known to "mop" my plate with a paper towel.
9. I've always had fairly short hair and I'm currently trying to grow it out. This is hard for me. I'm not sure why.
10. I have grown to really ENJOY my morning runs. It's my "Hope time". And even better is the 15 minutes afterwards when I get to sit in the recliner and look at Pinterest.
11. I bought 3 cases of Coke Zero today. You would think this would get me to the end of February when I'll make my next Walmart trip, but chances are, they'll be gone long before then.
Mandi's questions for me:
How long should you know/date someone before marriage?
Before I met B, I would have said at least a year, but in reference to #7 above, if you know, you know. Do it.
What is your favorite memory of me and you?
I'm going with the lunches during those awful internship meetings.
What is one book that everyone must read?
The Help. Absolutely. I didn't have to think about this one.
Which is better, a rainy day at home watching movies or a sunny day outside?
Do I have to choose????? I love being lazy, so if I MUST choose, I pick a rainy day. Naps, PJ's, and plenty of movies and books. Yes, I'll take it.
What do you remember most about your childhood?
How my brother ALWAYS got the middle cinnamon roll. I'm scarred for life.
Biggest pet peeve?
Lazy people who raise their children to be lazy people. Also at the top of that list would be people who act nice, but really aren't.
Favorite weird food combo?
Combo? I'm not combining anything. Reference #8 above.
Sonic or Dairy Queen?
Wouldn't it be nice to have a choice? I guess Dairy Queen.
Favorite name for a boy? Girl?
Harrison for a boy/Ella Kate (obviously) for a girl
Outdoor/church/other wedding?
Church Wedding
Most effective diet exercise plan you've tried?
Running. It works. And it makes me feel good.
My questions for my friends:
1. Lake or ocean?
2. Favorite season?
3. Do you talk to people you don't know (for example: in the grocery store, WalMart, etc.)?
4. Favorite movie of all time?
5. Silver or gold?
6. If you could drive any vehicle, what would you choose?
7. What is one quirky thing you do?
8. Do you tend to arrive places early or late?
9. What do you have for breakfast most mornings?
10. Do you consider yourself a tidy person?
11. What is one thing you're thankful for?
I tag: (I'm not sure I know 11 people with blogs???)
http://thehystericaldistrict.blogspot.com/
http://ramerbunch.blogspot.com/
http://mattandmorganspivey.blogspot.com/
http://forusitsjustonebigwaltz.blogspot.com/
http://athomewiththemaness.blogspot.com/
http://mattandcotygeohagan.blogspot.com/
http://hardys4ua.blogspot.com/
http://tillmanslife.blogspot.com/
http://inthelifeofe.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
I WILL blog more than once a month.
I WILL blog more than once a month. I WILL blog more than once a month...I'm blogging and EK is...I'm not sure. Probably swishing her hand, toothbrush, arm, etc. in the toilet. It seems to be her favorite past time. Which means: FLUSH. ALWAYS. She is so much fun these days. I love it. And it's exhausting. B picked up softball this year and this is the one month that it overlaps basketball. This means we're both on the run. I come home, pick her up, take her back to school, only to hand her over so he can bring her home after softball while I camp out at the basketball game for a while. Good thing she's social. Or maybe that's WHY she's social. I'm not sure.
We made our first sick visit to the doctor on Monday. I say 1 in 14 months ain't bad. She seems to finally be better today. We're thankful. She's been talking up a storm. We understand some. She seems to think we should understand all. It makes us laugh. My favorite is please which sounds more like 'peas'.
I'm planning to attemp my next 5K at the end of February. I'm just hoping the path is well marked. If not, it's only in Troy. I lived there a couple of years so if I do get lost again, at least I can find my way back without any trouble.
I'm making an attempt at some mexican food for dinner tonight and no, I'm not going to make a Monterey's run. It's homeade chicken nachos for us tonight. I'm looking forward to it. Chicken nachos, my Kindle with The Help downloaded (really enjoying that: the Kindle and The Help), and maybe a fire. Ahhh...yes. I enjoy busy, but I do love time at home.
Happy Wednesday!
We made our first sick visit to the doctor on Monday. I say 1 in 14 months ain't bad. She seems to finally be better today. We're thankful. She's been talking up a storm. We understand some. She seems to think we should understand all. It makes us laugh. My favorite is please which sounds more like 'peas'.
I'm planning to attemp my next 5K at the end of February. I'm just hoping the path is well marked. If not, it's only in Troy. I lived there a couple of years so if I do get lost again, at least I can find my way back without any trouble.
I'm making an attempt at some mexican food for dinner tonight and no, I'm not going to make a Monterey's run. It's homeade chicken nachos for us tonight. I'm looking forward to it. Chicken nachos, my Kindle with The Help downloaded (really enjoying that: the Kindle and The Help), and maybe a fire. Ahhh...yes. I enjoy busy, but I do love time at home.
Happy Wednesday!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
