A few of MY favorite things:

My first favorite thing is my newest favorite thing, I love the way the Bobbi Brown corrector and concealer makes my eyes look bright and awake!

My favorite snack or item to go with a sandwich Ritz baked chips in Veggie flavor, yum!

My favorite place to get a burger is Kincaid's, it might get bumped tonight, I'm going to try Dutch's on University.

Best drink of all time.

My favorite overall place to eat, my order: enchiladas modern with sour cream sauce.

I love my terry cloth robe from VS, it keeps me warm after my shower and no need for a towel!

My favorite store to browse in is Sephora, it used to be Ulta but Sephora is way fancier and has more fun stuff to try.

BTW, Bowen has strep again, we're going to have an ENT consult on the biggest tonsils in the world.

Cute Pictures

We are recovering at the Williams' house. Jonathan is on the mend, I ate food today. Bowen is the only one still puny, he is running a fever and I think I'm going to stay at home with him tomorrow.

I have to give props to Pace for finishing the Benbrook Half in less than 2 hours, way to go Pac!

We are a sad sight...

Jonathan has some form of the flu, he's miserable

I have had an upset tummy today (the runs at the zoo is NO fun), I'm sure I have the bug that is running rampant in my school.

Bowen was miserable while ago because he was constipated, thank goodness a warm bath and some juice cleared him out.

Laine is the only one that is totally OK today.

Blah.

Bowen: Before and After

OK, after the haircut I was TOTALLY freaking out because the way the girl fixed made it look uneven and nerdy. I was really regretting wanting to get is cut short. But a little Bed Head Manipulator fixes everything. None of these after pictures are great because Bowen refuses to take a normal, look at the camera and smile picture right now. Maybe I can get some more later.

The eyes have it...

OK here is what I need from my blog readers, an honest opinion on my eye make-up. I've been having lots of allergy related darkness under my eyes. The first picture was over Christmas and I have no concealer on under my eyes. The second two picture are from today after I went to the Bobby Brown make-up counter in Nordstom and had them correct and conceal under my eyes. I think it looks really good and Jonathan noticed as soon as walked in that something was different about my look. My question is, can you tell a noticeable difference? And if you can is it a good difference. My first inclination is to go back tomorrow and buy that stuff up but I want to see what you guys think.

Where all the magic happens...

We moved this desk downstairs when we made upstairs a playroom. I LOVE our initials above the desk and really love our computer screen. You can't see the details but I acquired a Jesus clock at a white elephant gift exchange, it's awesome.

Random Thoughts on a Tuesday

* I hate it when I cook a sucky supper, tonight was one of those nights. Don't make enchiladas with smoked chicken, or maybe do if you want some quality dog food.

*Meredith found my SUNGLASSES! YAHOO! I finally bought some big girl sunglasses (read expensive) this summer and I thought I had lost them, but she found them in her purse, my guess is I accidentally put them in her purse instead of mine at the hospital.

* I hate insurance.

* Two Aleve + two mucinex D = a very good afternoon at school

* I really want a new tattoo, what can I do to convince Jonathan this is a good idea?

* Please continue to pray for the right doors to open for Jonathan, if you know what I mean.

* We have decided Bowen's hair has gone from cute to scruffy so we are going to get a new style for him.

* Valentine's Day is WAY too close to Christmas.

* Being Type A is really hard work sometimes.

* Locking lug nuts aren't just to keep your tires from being stolen.

Worst Parenting Story...

I read lots of blogs and one that I read had a contest the other day so see who had the worst parenting story. I was too late to enter but I feel like this one might have been in the top 10 at least.

Let's see...we had just gotten back in town from somewhere (or maybe it was back from staying at the Veale's all July) any way it was hot weather. In our house we are not always prompt at picking up sippie cups so it is common to find a sippie with spoiled milk in it. Well, Bowen one day, found a sippie cup that I guess had been under the Entertainment Center for a LONG TIME and decided to take a bog swig off it. I know, that is extremely gross all by itself, but the worst part is when he spit it out maggots, yes, maggots came out of his mouth too. Beat that suckas.

Pics from the break

Aaaaaaand, I'm back.

Wow, this has been the busiest Holiday season ever! The highlight of course being the arrival of Blake.

At the beginning of the break we went to Jasper to have Christmas with Jonathan's family. We left the Friday we got out of school and got there Friday evening. We had some great hang out time on Saturday and then early Sunday morning my mother-in-law walked into our bedroom with the phone and I immediately knew what was going on. It was mom calling to say that Mere was in the hospital and would not leave without a baby. I quickly took a shower, packed some essentials and got on the road to Fort Worth. I made record time, a little less than 4 hours, and was at the hospital in time to wait for Blake's arrival. After she was born we had holding time and picture time and then I went home to spend the night, went back to the hospital Christmas Eve morning and then drove back to Jasper in time for Christmas Eve present opening.

We drove back to Fort Worth and the day after Christmas had Christmas with Mimi, Paco, Mere, Ryan and Blake. It was wonderful to look over and be surprised to see a baby instead of a big tummy! That night we went to a Stars game, Bowen and Laine had a grand time riding the TRE and going to the magnificent American Airlines Center, the game was fun, lots of goals.

A couple of days later we hosted the gang from San Angelo for Christmas. Man, we ate great food, opened presents and had a fun time on New Years' Eve playing games with Mere, Ryan, Koby, Robin, Justin (Jonathan's brother) and Leslie (Justin's girlfriend). Linda helped me redo my crosses in my Living Room, we shopped and visited.

That is a very brief version of the marvelous Christmas our family had. Truthfully, it is going to go down as one of my favorite Christmases ever. We really enjoyed hosting meals at our house and having way too many people sleeping in way too little space.

I'm sure I'll think of some good stories to tell soon, I'm still digesting what a special family I have and all the fun things we've done together this Christmas.

Happy New Year, here's to a great 2008!

Scattergories Game

What’s your name? HEATHER
car: HUNDAI
city: HAWLEY
boy name:HENRY
girl name: HANNAH
alcoholic drink: HAIRY ARMPIT (I know but I looked it up on the Internet, it's real)
occupation: HOUSEKEEPER
something you wear: HOT PANTS
celebrity: HELEN HUNT
food: HUSHPUPPIES
reason for being late: HAVING A BABY
cartoon character: HOMER SIMPSON
something you shout: HELL NO

I think I amost died last night...

I have felt SO cooped up lately! I just don't have enough opportunities to exercise lately with all the holiday business and cold weather. So last night I declared I was taking a walk and headed out the door. On the way back home I went down a street I don't usually go down to make my walk a little longer. Well, when I turned the corner I saw two dogs in a front yard. I was a little suspicious but I went on the other side of the street and got on the sidewalk. I squinted hard to see where they were and saw one dog, he looked at me but didn't do anything. I couldn't put my eyes on that second dog, then, out of nowhere, he was about three feet from barking like I'd just entered his private territory. My instincts kicked in and I shouted NO as loud as I could. Thanks for teaching me to yell at stray dogs Dad! However, he continued to bark and growl and snap at me. By now I was thinking about what I would do if he tried to bite me. I looked around to see if anyone was outside and kept my limbs as close to my body as I could. I decided if he attacked me I would scream and roll up in a ball so I could protect my head and vital organs. As soon as I decided what to do his barking slowed a little and a couple of seconds later he trotted off, obviously satisfied he had scared me to death. I tentatively walked a few steps to see if he was going to follow me and he didn't. A guy was walking down his drive way as I turned to walk off, I think he was coming to see what all the racket was about. Anyway I walked the rest of the way home sneaking peeks over my shoulder to make sure no mean dogs were following me home!

Maybe my stomach will get flatter

I went and had MORE allergy testing done yesterday, it was a food allergy test. Here is a list of all the dreck I'm allergic to:

4 (the highest level):
Lamb I'm so disappointed we eat Lamb at least 2 times a weeks (NOT)
Mushrooms fine, I hate them anyway
Broccoli OK I really like broccoli

3:
Rye, no dark brown bread for me
Hazelnut

2:
Turkey Meat
Egg
Apricot
Strawberry
CHOCOLATE
Watermelon
Cinnamon
Coffee
Pecan
Brazil nut
Cashews
English Walnut

So, I'm supposed to not eat these foods for a month. Chocolate. Coffee. Cinnamon. I'm totally mourning Starbucks right now. No Cinnamon Dolce Latte. So, my request is that if you're going to be with me over the Holidays, make me something for dessert I can actually eat.


I am totally going to become one of "those people" that are all "So, what kind of nuts are in this cake?" "Are those mushrooms" "Is that cinnamon sprinkled on those cookies?" and "did lamb touch that chicken?"

Incredible...

That my daughter's Principal had to call me this morning because she was out of dress code. Mainly Incredible because I work in the same district and know the dress code.

That I walk into the girls' bathroom by my gym this morning and there were two turds on the bathroom floor. One was in one stall and one was in the other, flat, because it had been stepped on.

That I tooted tonight and Meredith thought it was the dogs whining.

That I will be an aunt in less than a month (Meredith hopes).

Feliz Cumpleanos Mimi!

I decided to make my Mother's Birthday a holiday and I stayed at home! Really Bowen has Strep throat again. Did you know that if you have Strep 5 times in a year you get a one way ticket to the ENT for a tonsil evaluation? I didn't! So this is only #2 for him, hopefully it will be #last.

Here are some Random Thoughts:

How do you post a movie on your blog? Really, I want to know.

Do you ever think about who reads your blog but never comments, so do I! If you are a lurker, show yourself! I might feel stupid if I asked that and absolutely no one else reads this blog :)

I'm having a hard time deciding what to get Bowen for Christmas, what DO two year-olds want? Please no toys with small parts, Please no toys with small parts.

I never cook on Fridays, I'm cooking tonight.

Jonathan is cleaning out my car as I type, I KNEW I married him for a good reason.

I'm dreaming of a white Turkey Day!

This was a progression of the snow throughout the day! It was one of the best Thanksgivings ever! We had so much fun watching the snow fall, and then later that night, going out to sled! It had been years since I went sledding, the kids loved it, especially Bowen. The next day we went out and made a snow turtle and a snowman and Meredith sported some sweet pants, I'll let her post that picture. Another amazing part of Thanksgiving is the tradition of puzzle working on Thanksgiving Day. Meredith and I got a head start and put together the edges the day before and so we finished Thanksgiving night. But the best part is that Mom had a drawing to see who won the puzzle, I was the winner! She bought glass and a frame and puzzle glue so now I have a really cool Christmas puzzle hanging in my kitchen!

But the best thing about Thanksgiving is my family, I have the best family ever, it's one of the things I am most thankful for!

Laine the Mom

Tonight after I bathed the kids they were playing happily while I was on the computer doing some very serious blog reading. I absentmindedly told Laine to go get her pajamas on and before I knew it she was back and clothed. I heard them playing away and looked up a few minutes later to see Bowen, fully dressed for bed! Laine had put on his PJ top, his diaper and some pajama pants too! It was too cute! What a great big sister. I did go back later and examine the diaper, I have to say, it looked like Paco put it on, not too bad just needed to be tightened a little!

Pepe la Pew

Our conversation on the way home from Rosa's:

Laine: There was a skunk in our school today, he was sick. He made the whole school stink.

Us: Oh, really. Gross.

Laine: Yeah it was gross, Ms. Jones killed it and then it made my whole room smell bad.

Us: Ewwww...

Laine: Yeah it smelled like Popcorn and Old Man.

Us: ????, then hysterical laughter ensued.

Mud Run 2007

was yesterday and it kicked my tail. Not in the running or obstacle sense but the blister on both my heels sence. I really don't think I'm going to be able to wear tennis shoes for a few days, that will be interesting since my job revolves around tennis shoes.

Steps to getting a 5 year old to pee in a cup

1. Say "yay, _____ you get to tee tee in a cup, that's so cool"

2. Go to the bathroom.

3. Get 5 year old on the potty with her pants down really low.

4. Pull pants and underwear down even lower so you can stick the cup and your hand in the potty.

5. remember the nurse told you to wipe her with a wipe before peeing.

6. Wipe her and then get wipe stuck between her legs somehow.

7. Take cup out from between her legs to remove wipe.

8. Wipe falls out on it's own.

9. Decide to try putting the cup under her bottom from the back sounds better.

10. Nope

11. Squat down and reinsert cup under child's bottom hoping you have it positioned correctly.

12. Tell daughter not to pee on your hand.

13. Say " OK tee tee."

14. Wait 15 or 20 minutes. Try inserting various phrases like: Come on, tee tee. PLEASE tee tee. OK concentrate. Stop talking and tee tee. Stop singing and tee tee. Push on your tummy a little.

15. Walk out of bathroom.

16. Go find nurse and shrug.

17. Get 5 year old to drink copious amounts of Gatorade provided by nurse and have her jump up and down.

18. Go back to bathroom at child's request.

19. redo steps 3-5

20. Kid pees on your hand.

21 Get a little in the cup.

22. Done.

Happy Halloweenie!

Jumping off the Deep End

Today Jonathan and I jumped off the deep end at church.
We have been a part of a wonderful Small Group at church for years and we have loved it. For the past few months we have been in a church funk, me especially. I have, in fact, not cared to go to church, class, or even small group and that's not like me. I really just wanted to leave our church altoghter, and you might ask why and really couldn't tell you many specific reasons. I just felt unhappy. After some prayer and lots of discussion between Jonathan and me we decided maybe we needed to get into a Bible Study. You see, our Small Group committed to be in charge of Bible Hour, a class for small children so that their parents can enjoy Small Group time without the distraction of children. It's a great service our church provides. When we committed I felt sad, but everyone else went along with it, so we did too. I knew I was going to miss prayer requests, fellowship and study with friends. But the more we thought and talked about it the more we realized we really needed to have time studying the Word with other people like us.

You know when I type it out it sounds so logical but if you know me you know I am very concerned about what people think of me. I don't want anyone to think bad of me or Jonathan or talk about us because of our choice. And it is JUST visiting, we aren't going to make any sort of commitment yet. Jonathan is a good balance he doesn't care at all about what others think he just wants what is best for our family.

I think what I am most concerned about is losing the friends we have made the past few years and ones we've made very recently. Every time our Small Group has split we've lost good friends, not because of hard feelings but just because we drifted apart, and it has always made me sad. I hope that doesn't happen if we decide to go to another group. I hope we haven't made a bad choice. Mostly I hope God will point the way.

Sweetest Thing

Listening to your sleeping child's heart beating. I don't think much about everyday tick-tocking of life but when I went in to check on Laine and Bowen after they fell asleep I was inclined to lay my head on their little chests and listen in. It's almost like you're hearing a secret, a whisper that tell you everything is alright. I remember going to the Doctor every month for my check-ups and no matter how many times I heard it, the sound of that little baby's heartbeat almost took my breath away. Tonight was no different. I has the realization that I was hearing a miracle of healthiness and vitality was so awesome that I had to stop right then and thank God that I have two healthy, wonderfully whole children.

Random Thoughts for Sunday

1. Laine is going to a B day party in a few minutes and I hope it's a drop off and come back when it's over party because I really don't want to hang out with b day girls mom.

2. I know, number 1 sounds bad, but if you knew her...just think 32 year old who still thinks she's a cheerleader and has kids who can do NO wrong, aaack.

3. Bowen is definitely 2.

4. He is also cute, it's a good thing.

5. Is it just me or are little girl clothes for this fall looking like a 12 year old should be wearing them?

6. I hope Halloween is cool or Bowen is going to internally combust in his Monkey costume.

7. I'm excited about Homecoming and baby festivities this weekend.

8. I'm reading Blue Like Jazz, it's really great, thanks Ryan for loaning it to me.

9. I called the police on Saturday morning because our neighbor's dog barked from 4:30-7:00. I'm going to call every time they bark for an extended period now.

10. Shauna, I still need to know what you use on your eyes that makes them so bright!

OK, I HEARD you already!

SO I went to the ENT yesterday afternoon and it was SO COOL!

As soon as the Doctor looked in my ear he realized it was totally wax. So we were ushered into a room where they perform "procedures". He told me he was going to suction the wax out of my ear. The suctioner was about as thick as a big needle and he put a metal cone in my ear and sucked everything out. He showed me each time he got something out and told me exactly what it was. SO he got out some wax and some dead skin, and with my gross stuff is really cool mindset, it was really interesting. All I can say is that OTC stuff would have never gotten all the crap out of my ear. You know, the Doctor never said that I shouldn't have used the removal kit. I 'm guessing since he didn't say it was bad, that those things are OK.

Introducing....

The Autumn Fairy!

Huh? What'd you say?

When I went to the Allergist a couple of weeks ago he told me I had some wax buildup in my left ear and I could get an OTC wax remover and get it out. Well, I didn't do it. Then I decided it might be worth a try, so while I was at Wal- Mart the other day I bought one of the kits. The directions say to use it twice a day and let the drops sit in your ear. After 4 days use the convenient syringe and some water to gently wash out the remaining wax. First, this was mildly exciting to me because I really secretly like picking things like my nose, zits, dry skin etc..so the thought of getting to pick something out of my ear was new! and exciting! Second, I'm always hoping for that one "miracle" product that will take away a myriad of problems on one swoop, I'm such a dummy. So the first two uses were successful, then the second night of use when I went to tip my head the other direction to get the drops to come out they didn't budge. I went ahead and went to bed laying on my side so that maybe it would drain out during the night. I woke up about 5 AM with an amazing pain in my ear and the feeling that I had gone swimming in my sleep and didn't get the water out of my left ear. I drank my morning Diet Coke and my ear hurt worse when I burped, then I might have blown my nose and I thought my eardrum might pop. SO, needless to say I have an appointment with my ENT tomorrow to see what is going on in my ear, the pain has gotten better but I still feel like I'm listening through cotton.

A few weeks ago we were in Abilene for a visit. We went to Chic-fil-a for lunch and as I was walking into the play area to get the kids I saw someone I recognized. The funny part is I had only seen her and her kids on her blog! I met Mary Beth in real life, it was so neat to see someone whose life I check up on periodically. She was so cute and so were her kids.

Monkey Boy

He's just so cute it makes me laugh! Of course, after mom and I picked this costume out because Bowen has been talking about being a monkey all he says now is: I want be a pirate, arrgh! Well, too bad for him because his costume isn't returnable because of it's "collectible" nature. So Monkey he'll be. At least he's cute.

Stay at home day...

Bowen has Strep throat so I'm at home with him enjoying catching up some stuff before we go to "A" town this weekend. For you reading enjoyment here is a list what I've eaten today:

2 waffles with syrup ( at least they were whole grain)

a strawberry frosted Pop Tart

diet coke

a Hebrew national hot dog at Costco

diet coke

Gheridelli chocolate squares filled with caramel

3 strawberries because I felt so gross about the other crap I ate

I mean really I've been doing really well eating healthy, so I don't feel SO bad about eating some junk but I seemed to cram a bunch into 1/2 of a day.

I've been pondering on some things lately one is Laine and Kindergarten. Last night after some hard thinking I decided we needed to have a thought in the back of our heads this year. That thought should be: Laine might need to do Kindergarten again. Yes, you read that right. And it's not because of intelligence it's that some of the kids in her grade are almost a year older than her. I can really see it this year. It's the emotional part, the maturity part and the fact that I want to raise a leader and not a follower. I want Laine to be her own self not try to be someone just because they are older (not that she would realize that but you know what I mean). And it's not so much now that I worry about it's middle school and high school. There will not be a decision made on this for a while, maybe April and I fully trust Laine's teacher this year and will listen to what she has to say too. Then I worry holding her back will wreck her self esteem? Will it? Or will it boost her to be the older one who already knows all the answers and knows how to behave. Last night I was talking to her pre-k teacher and although I can't remember her exact words I do know that I have an exceptional learner. Exceptional in intelligence and exceptional in her learning style. I do know for sure she is at the right school, her "Laine" ways could possibly be smooshed in a more traditional school. Whew. I'm not sure I meant for all that to come out at once. One thing I really wish is that I could be a fly on the wall in her class, I want to see who Laine is at school.

Events of the day,

or maybe days...

First I do have an allergist appointment next Friday, it can't come soon enough.

Next, those extra warranties do pay off because I waltzed into Best Buy last nightand purchased a brand new ipod nano, the really new one that's square. It has twice the storage space for the same price I bought my first one for.

Yesterday I received an email that really lowered my morale for school. I'm going to be working everyday in a Kindergarten classroom to help with a special program for which we are the pilot school. I'm going to do the job with a smile but I heard it's really boring and that's what I'm dreading. Last year I was SO bored so this year I told my Administration I wanted to start a exercise mentoring program in the mornings. I guess that's down the drain, I'm really disappointed.


Today I received a call from the daycare director and I answered the phone "do I have a sick child?" TO which the response was, well not really. As it so happens Bowen was bitten ON THE LIP by a "friend". That's always what they put in reports to keep the child's privacy. I think it's kind of funny that a "friend" would bite your lip thought :) Anyway they had me callthe doctor and see what I should do since he bled a lot and it was by his mouth. The nurses first reaction was "WHAT bit him?" I told her a child and she asked what happened, so I told her. Anyway it seems human bites are worse to get than animal bites because of the germy mouth area. SO I have to watch for swelling, puss, redness and fever. Aaack...all I wanted to do was go hug him but that would have totally made it worse when I had to leave to go teach.

Ok the next thing I'm not so sure about. I feel like I pretty laid back with my children so when something makes me mad I feel like it's justified. when I went to pick Bowen up Laine stood by the door like she always does while I get his stuff together. I went to sign the incident report for the bite and Laine had opened the door to the room. All of a sudden the teacher was using very sharp, loud words with LaineI looked up to see what was going on and she continued to give Laine a hard time about the door and how it would get her (the teacher) in trouble if Laine was out in the hall alone with Bowen. I totally understand that rule, Laine and I talked about it and she won't be doing that again. I did however have a problem with the teacher's tone of voice and voice level. After it happened I just left without saying another word. I didn't want to address her then and have me sound ugly. I also wanted to stop in the director's office as I was walking out and tell her what happened, I didn't do that either. I don't like skipping in the chain of command. I think I'll talk to the other teachers in the room in the morning instead.

I'm excited for tonight I'm shopping and then working the cash registers at Just Between Friends, our local consignment extravaganza!

Ears 1 Heather 0

So I went to my ENT appointment today and I had already decided that he wasn't going to be able to do anything for me and I was right. I had my hearing tested and it told me what I already knew I have some hearing loss in the range that my ears ring. My ears, nose and throat looked good. He basically said all my problems were due to my allergies and I knew that too. The only question he couldn't answer was why I feel like I need to clear my ears all the time. He said some word that ended in sclerosis and said that even if I did have it, it was in early enough stages that nobody would do anything about it. So tomorrow I'll make an allergist appointment and head down that road. In the mean time, I'm tired of feeling like crap.

Bowen the Barfer

OK, so last night I was taking a shower and when I stepped out I could hear the kids having lots of fun. They were taking turns pushing each other around in a wheeled box kind of thing and having a ball. Two seconds later Bowen went face first onto the kitchen floor and in true Bowen style cries his hardest. Jonathan took him into the bathroom to check everything out and Bowen keeps crying his hardest. He just can't calm down when all of a sudden he throws up and up and up some more. What in the world! Then of course he's upset that he barfed and cries some more. Well to add to the story Jonathan leaned him over the sink when he hurled and the sink wouldn't drain afterwards. Jonathan goes to inspect and reported that there were about 8 pieces of gum that were stopping up the drain. I guess I can't leave gum around the house anymore because Bowen might chew it all, throw up and then clog the drain.

On to other things, I think I'm falling apart. I have been sick since the beginning of August, I'm on my second round of antibiotics and my snot is still yellow. I'm not coughing as much but I still have monster drainage. My doctor took me off my allergy medicine for the duration of my antibiotics so my snot wouldn't be so sticky so now I have a runny nose and itchy throat. I went to the eye doctor today because I would have sworn I had another eye infection but alas, I have eye allergies. I mean lock me up in a bubble guys, I can't survive in a world with living, things like cats and dogs and trees. I'm going to see an ENT to talk about my constant stuffiness and then I'll probably have to see an allergist too. OK done with the health report, boring.

My friend Julie and I have decided to join a team at our church to do the Mud Run. It's 10K run that has obstacles in it, like mud, and water and ropes and all that crazy crap. I'm so competitive that I can't stand to think I might be the one that the others must wait on. I WILL NOT be that person. I'm going to have to get real tough real soon and so some fartleks and speed work, aaack. Oh ant get this, you have to run in BOOTS and PANTS. So if you see a girl running down the street in running shorts and 8 inch black boots, that would be me.

Nervous times 2

This weekend Jonathan took Laine and Bowen with him to work at a guy's ranch. It has been wonderful to be at home alone although I'm waiting with baited breath for them to come home. Last night when I was folding clothes I was thinking about church and suddenly I thought about visiting another congregation, not only another congregation but one that is of another denomination. I've always been curious about this particular church because I like the idea of denomination not being the most important part of church. I was so nervous trying to make the choice as to whether or not I should do it. I was still indecisive this morning as I got ready to go. New things make me nervous, I was about to go somewhere where I didn't know anyone and experience a service maybe like I had never experienced before. What if they do weird things, what if I feel uncomfortable, what if I feel conspicuous? I went anyway. Here are my pros and cons on the Bible Church. And I really don't feel you can get an accurate snapshot of a church in one Sunday morning service.

Pros:

I LOVED the worship time. It was instrumental and I thought it might be overwhelming, but it made everything sound like I'd like God to hear it coming from my body.

Two services and plenty of thing for kids to do during the service.

Beautiful building.

Seems to have an awesome youth ministry.


Cons:

From what I can tell, communion only once a month.

No Sunday night service or small groups (from what I could tell)



Just different:

Very casual service, no order of service in the bulletin.
It didn't seem like there was a specific invitation.
People stood or sat at will during singing, lots of hand lifting and waving.

I could Tell this was a church that is trying to reach those who a unchurched or lost. It seems they are doing a great job. The sermon was definitely Bible based and lots of time was spent in scripture. When any scripture was read everyone stood and read the verse together. I also liked that the preacher wanted us to read along with him in the Bible and the verses weren't just projected on the screens.

I'm glad I went, I'm just not sure if would be for me.

Oh back to school, back to school...

With school starting soon and Laine being in Kindergarten, Jonathna and I decided that she needed a little more responsibility in the morning routine. Here is what I have come up with because I don't want to be the mother of a child who cannot get herself up out of bed in the morning. I took pictures of all the things she needs to do the morning before we get in the car. Hopefully, I'm going to mount then to poster board and put a copy in her bedroom and in the bathroom. Here they are:

So hopefully it will work like this: Get up, go tee tee, brush teeth, get dressed and the time that is lef tcan be used to watch cartoons. Somewhere in there I need to fix her hair, maybe I can meet her in the bathroom and do it then. This is so important to me, I want to raise my children to be self-motivated not mom is finally really mad so I better do it motivated. I can't wait to see how it's going to work!

Happy Birthday to Meredith!

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you! You look like a monkey and you smell like one too! Can't wait to go to the Circus!

Back in the Saddle...

In so many ways.

We're finally back home! After a month of house sitting and then vacation in Ruidoso, it feels great to be back home.

Another saddle I'm getting ready for is school. I'm having a really hard time wanting to go back, I think that's a first. I'm excited to see my friends and the new stuff I'm doing this year but certain circumstances in my paycheck are clouding my happiness ( FYI when I used spell check for the word before the parenthesis one of the options was hap penis, ha ha) to work at this job.

One thing I'm kind of looking forward to is getting back into the saddle of routine. Bedtimes, bathtimes, mealtimes. It's good for kids and it's good for me too, mainly because a routine usually means more exercise for me.

In relation to my job issues is what Laine is going to do after school. I don't want to pay for after school care with my current situation and one of the options is to have her bussed over to my school and then leave when I leave. Another is to find a mom that would take her home until I pick her up. I don't know what to do, all of this is dampening my happy spirit. I know things will work out, I just hate facing the unknown.

On the other hand, I'm really excited to have niece coming in a few months. Baby Rabbit is my beacon in the night right now! i CAN'T WAIT TO HOLD THAT (wow) little glow worm of a baby.

You can also pray for Jonathan right now. He's looking into some extra job activities and he's anxious. Pray for me that I don't kill him while he's stressing. He's really hard to get along with in these situations. But I really think that he will do an excellent job, I'm behind him all the way.

Here are some pictures to round out this random post:

I'd also like to send a shout out to Shauna's new boobs, you guys look great!

I'm Finished!

And that's all I'm going to say about that. I'm patiently waiting for Jonathan to read the last few pages so we can discuss. I can't believe I just read the very last book!

Larry the Attack, Punk Ass, Butthole Camel

As many of you know our family is currently residing in the biggest house ever playing parents to three teenage children and getting well paid for it. I'll take some pics soon. Last night Mere and Ryan came over to eat and celebrate Rabbit. After supper we decided to crank the 4 wheeler and the mule (kind of like a rugged golf cart) and drove down to the barn. This family has several horses and a pet camel. Yes, you heard it right a camel named Larry. Well Larry is getting big (duh) and when I was feeding him treats and patting him he put his knee up on the edge of his stall like he was going to climb out. Jonathan decides it would be a good idea to let Larry out into the rodeo arena to frolic. That indeed was what Larry did. He ran around long legs flying and bucked and galloped like there was no tomorrow. It really was funny. Jonathan decided to get in on the action and play with him. By this time we were all out in the arena me, Mere, Laine, Bowen and Jonathan. That's when Larry lost it. He went over to Mere and leaned on her until she had to climb the fence with Bowen in her arms. Then Jonathan came over and Larry started to bounce around more he knocked Laine down then Jonathan who had Bowen in his arms. He then tried to hump Jonathan. That's when I had to bust a move and get over to Laine so Jonathan could get up off the ground. I got Laine, skirted the fence and proceeded to tell Larry "no, bad camel" like he was a dog or something. Yikes. Laine and Bowen were scared to death. Mere was too, she was a little worried that Larry would knock her down and scare Rabbit. All in all, everyone was fine. Jonathan scratched his knee from the attempted humping and Larry is probably a little sore from Jonathan beating him away from the kids. What an adventure, thus Larry's new name.

Laine and Bowen weigh in

This ranks in the top 5 most exciting weeks of my life! I mean I get to find out if I'm going to be the aunt to a boy or a girl and the 7th Harry Potter book comes out, I'm dying here. We have been quizzing Laine and Bowen on whether the think Mere and Ryan are having a girl or a boy. Their answers never waver so I've documented their choices in pictures:

One of them will be right, and I think the winner gets to name the baby.

Laine name for Mere's baby: Ruby

Bowen's name for Mere's baby: Rabbit

I hope Laine wins.

What kind of hair: blonde and straight

What happens when you have a baby: go to the hospital, take the baby out of your tummy, and bottom ummmm. vagina.

What will Mere do with the baby: milk the baby, feed it baby food.

what will the baby act like: nice, suck it's thumb

First things first...L and R what do you think?

1. Who was your first prom date?Drew Perkins, my first love
2. Who was your first roommate?Tiffany Touchstone
3. What was your first alcoholic drink?Margarita but I don't remember how old I was
4. What was your first job?Sunfish, I was a lifeguard and swim teacher
5. What was your first car?1979 red Toyota pick up truck
6. Who was the first person that texted you yesterday?I really don't text that often!
7. Who is the first person you thought of this morning?Laine and Bowen, they are gone and I miss them!
8. Who was your first grade teacher?Mrs. Bench, you can guess what her nickname was!
9. Where did you go on your first ride on an airplane?I think to Colorado or maybe New Jersey, not sure!
10. When you snuck out of your house for the first time, who was with you?I never snuck out, I was too scared...wait a minute, what am I saying, I really just never wanted to!
11. Who was your first best friend and are you still friends with them?Mark Doty, we're not friends but I still see him every once in a while. I LOVED him!
12. Where was your first sleep over?I have no idea, but Mark and I had a few sleepovers.
13. Who was the first person you talked to this morning?Jonathan
14. Whose wedding were you in the first time? I'm not sure if I was in one when I was little, Mom?
15. What is the first thing you do in the morning?take my medicine
16. What was the first concert you ever went to? Oak Ridge Boys
17. First tattoo or piercing?Piercing in the ears - 6, second hole at 12, first tattoo 30,
18. First foreign country you went to?Mexico
19. First crush? Mike Brekenridge
20. When was your first detention?6th grade English, I was talking
21. What was the first state you lived in?Texas
22. Who was your first kiss with?Josh, he turned out gay, how'd ya like that!
23. Who was the first person to break your heart? Drew
24. Do you still think about that person?Yes.

Here is what my house looks like...AHHHHHHH

The kids are at my in-laws and Jonathan and I are tackling two big project in the mean time. He's building a deck and I'm painting the kitchen cabinets. The kids are coming home tomorrow and we need to get finished and clean up before they get home. Wish us luck!