the unbalanced life

alarm goes off at 615am.  oversleep.  again.  get everyone up.  argue with 6 year old daughter about not wanting to wear a dress.  again.  make breakfast.  search for ONE missing shoe. grab backpacks.  get in car.  pray i don't kill said children before we get out of driveway.   take kids to school.  go to (Bible study/dr. appt./dentist/car dealership/grocerystore/mall/youfillintheblankfortheday).  try to squeeze in a run.  try to squeeze in a run.  clean up from breakfast.  laundry.  dishes.  plan dinner.  phone call returns.  email returns.  waste time on facebook.  waste time on twitter.  read honest toddler blog.  laundry.  clean house.  discover all kinds of things under kids beds.  very gross things.  things that have been there a long time.  decide to walk away.  laundry.   kids home from school.  snacks.  homework.  in car.  go to guitar lessons/football/baseball/gymnastics/church/Bible study/ect... home.  maybe dinner.  maybe not.  showers.  bed for kids.  Bible study lesson.  waste more time on facebook/twitter.  watch lame tv show. bed.  get up tomorrow and start all over!

SHEW!!!  everyone always says "it's all about balance!!"

Or is it??

i don't really know at what point that phrase started to kinda bother me.  but it does.  honestly, we could all add about 100 more things to our lists.  that was just a start really.  but everytime someone would say to me "you do too much.  you need to have balance", my insides started turning.  and then one day a thought came across my mind.

what does the Word say about balance?

hmmmmm.  hadn't really thought about it before.

and then the Lord brought a few simple verses to mind.

Love the Lord your God with ALL your heart and with ALL your soul and with ALL your mind.  (Matt. 22:37)  

So, because you are lukewarm-neither hot nor cold- I am about to spit you out of my mouth. (Rev. 3:16)

No one can serve two masters.  Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other.  (Matt. 6:24)

so, okay.  none of those verses say anything to me about "balance it all out".  in fact, it says just the opposite.  it says go all in.  go all in.

yes.  i understand that there is a difference in having too much "stuff" in our lives and just saying yes to everything.  and yes.  we have to be sure that what we say yes to is what the Lord wants us to have in our lives SO THAT we don't grow weary.

however.

when it comes to my love for the Lord, my love for others, and serving....

i choose to love the unlovable.
i choose to forgive the unforgivable.
i choose to be a friend to all.
i choose to go where He sends... willingly.
i choose to help restore lost dignity.
i choose to see people as people.
i choose to love hard.
i choose to hug that neck too long.
i choose to give a smile.
i choose to be a noticer.
i choose to offer my hand.. and get it dirty.
i choose to put my feet to the pavement, and get moving.

i choose to be a rebuilder.

balance is so overrated.

i'll just stick to the unbalanced life.

Shine Your Light

Today was our first day serving at the women's shelter here in San Franciscm. we spent the first part of the morning cleaning it out. and I mean cleaning it out. everything. we had to sort everything in piles out on the sidewalk in front of the shelter. this led to all kinds of people coming by to see what kind of "treasures" they could find. this gave some of us a few opportunities to strike up some conversations! and even give out some hugs! Once the common room was emptied out, it had to be cleaned. while some of us worked on that, a few of us went to the roof to haul down some broken chairs and other items. and since we were up there and the view was so beautiful, we decided why not do a quick "mini makeover" for the ladies while we were up there. I mean, we were already up there. so, Emily, Jo-Mama, Mrs. Karen and I got busy repotting a few plants and moving the chairs that were left and moving the potted plants around, and mini makeover complete!! A lot of the guys had mainly been focusing on getting the basement repainted and repairing the lights while the rest of us were in the common room painting furniture, getting a table refinished, and repainting the walls. the basement was very dimly lit and was where the women gather to eat. the guys did that on their own I might add :) Anyway...as we were starting to leave for the day, one of the workers there asked us if we would go down to the basement where the ladies were eating because they wanted to say thank you. Especially for the new lighting in the basement. Well, of course we all jumped at the opportunity to meet some of the ladies! So down to the basement we went. and we were overwhelmed with thankfulness from them!! We were hugging necks and sharing smiles when one lady threw her hands up and said "we didn't even know we was in the dark till you turned the light on!" y'all...all I could do was hug her neck tighter. she didn't even really know what she just said. Jesus said "I am the Light of the world". He calls us to be salt and light. They didn't even realize how dark it was till we turned on the light. People, turn on your lights and run to the darkness so they will know. Shine on.

Happy Birthday to Me

so this year was my 36th *cough cough* birthday... geez.. does the number have to look so  BIG when you write it out??!! for the love!! anyway...

since there have been so many changes in my life recently (more on that to come), i decided to celebrate this year a little differently.  i can't take credit for the idea.  pinterest.  always pinterest. amen.  36 acts of kindness.  most of them planned out.  but not all.  because i wanted to leave room for just some small, random, everyday acts.  AND, i also wanted to leave room for those God moments too.  i wanted to have fun... but i also wanted to meet some real needs too... and of course, He is always faithful.  it was truly a day that i will never forget.  the looks on peoples faces, the tears, the hugs, the laughter.  unforgettable.  here is the list of what i did.  with a few stories added in.  enjoy :)

1-6. went to visit the pediatric floor of the hospital. took gift bags for the patients and parents that included diapers, wipes, toys, candy, games, and gift cards to wal-mart (depending on age of patient)

7. paid for person in line in drive thru at BK behind us. left a card telling them to have a great day! expression on their face was priceless.

8-11. took homemade brownies to 4 different fire dept. to tell them thank you for their service.

12. as we headed to our next location, we saw an old car stopped on the side of the road.  a couple had gotten out and were walking with their gas can in the 110* weather!! we stopped and asked if we could take their gas can and fill it up for them.  when we got to the gas station, i realized that the gas can only held about one gallon of gas. so, when we got back to them, i asked if they would please follow me to the gas station and let me fill up their tank. the gentleman told me he had no idea how much it would take because he was never able to fill it all the way up. and his wife cried. well, maybe i did too. i serve a very big God.

13. i just happen to have 2 of my food bags in the jeep and saw 2 people that were in need of them.  gladly gave them.

14. went to a laundromat and handed out quarters for people to do their laundry and taped coins to empty washers/dryers.

15. gave quarters to kids to play arcade games in laundromat. they all went bananas! :)

16. held door open for man carrying baby

17. gave out goodie bags filled with candy and games and nail polish to kids in parking lot

18. went to park and handed out popsicles!! learned that when you go to the park on SUPER HOT DAY and say "does anyone want a popsicle??" kids will literally fall from the sky. not kidding.  it was awesome!

19. went to a restaurant and left a pack of diapers at a changing station with a note.

20. gave a waitress a gift card to wal-mart for no reason.

21. taped change to some drink machines

22. returned buggy for a customer in grocery store parking lot

23. took gift bag of dog food/treats, cat food, and toys to  animal shelter.

24. unloaded groceries for someone in publix parking lot

25. gave her children 2 goodie bags

26. as we were leaving publix, we saw an elderly lady walking to her old vehicle. she was using 2 crutches.  her vehicle was beaten up.  she had 2 young boys waiting on her in the car.  i had bought a gift card to winn dixie the day before and had been holding onto it all day. waiting.  and when we saw her the Lord said to give it to her.  so Hannah and i walked over to her car.  i asked her if i could help her in with her crutches and she was grateful for the help.  and then i told her that i had something that i would like for her to have and i handed her the card.  she opened it. she just kinda sat there for a moment and then she asked if she could really go to the grocery store with it.  i said yes maam. and she repeated over and over " i get to go to the grocery store, i get to go to the grocery store. boys!! we are going to the grocery store today". i may have teared up. again. Hannah asked her what her name was and if she could pray for her.  she said please do.  i will never forget Ms. Williams.

27.  gave 2 boy goodie bags to Ms Williams boys.  the joy in that vehicle was overwhelming.

28.  took Wyatt and Mallory with us to the nursing home in Lee Co.  all the kids had made cards the night before.  they were so excited to visit with the residents! they couldn't pass out those cards and hug their sweet necks fast enough!  Wyatt even walked up to a sweet man sitting alone in his wheelchair at a table and said in his gruff little voice "hey, you wanna look at this snake book with me?" and he flipped through the book and pointed out the snakes and told him what the names of them were.  mallory hugged and told everyone what she had drawn for them.  and sweet Hannah spoke to every person like they were her own grandmother or grandfather.  it was precious.  they have already asked when they can go back.

29. left 2 packs of wipes at a changing station

30. took clothes to the Liberty House 

31. left a card for our mailperson to say thank you!

32. bought Frank's dog a toy. (for those of you that know me that REALLY is an act of kindness!!)

33. took Ms. Christine supper (90 yr old widow at our church)

34-36. went to bus stop and paid for riders!

best birthday ever.

times...they are a changin'....

so, what HAS changed? you might ask...

well, there have been quite a few changes in the past few years so let me just hit some of the highlights rather than bore you with four years of blah, blah, blah....

for starters there is this change right here.

yes.  they have all grown up.  and yes you are seeing correctly.  my oldest son is now taller than i am.  hush, frank. and yes, he IS only 11.  what exactly is your point??

moving on...

there is also this change.

i dropped 100lbs praise the Lord!!!

we also have this...

my family looks a little different now right??!! it has grown a tad!! and well, it's really a long story! and honestly, i don't really feel like the right thing to do is share all the details of it. but i do feel like it's okay to share a few things. hannah came to live with us about a year and a half ago. and it was hard. and i don't mean that in the way of adjustments here in the house.  that was the really easy part.  the hard part, surprisingly, was the reactions from others. see, instead of people asking us the what, why, how and all that,  they did what people do.  they assumed.  they heard from someone else what they assumed and made their own stories.  people that i just knew  were going to be there to support us during this time and to help Hannah through this difficult time in her life weren't.  most people were very good at hearing one side of the story and getting in their huddles with their buddies and discussing what we should be doing and what they would be doing if it were them.  but they never came to us.  never.  not once.  no one came and said "hey, i'm not really sure what's going on, but is there something i can do to help? can i pray with you guys? for you guys? would you mind telling me the story?"  any one of us would have been more than happy to do it.  people stopped talking to us.  we lost friends.  that's what i mean when i say it was hard.  and it was.

but, there is always a reason.  and God knew that i had lessons to learn.  and so did Hannah. well, we all did.  and, looking back, i am overwhelmed with thankfulness for every lesson.  i am better for each one.

one thing i learned during that time was that obedience matters most.  God is not concerned with what other people think about my obedience to Him or what it looks like to them.  and regardless of what i want, i do not need, nor do i have to wear a sign around my neck explaining what i am doing to make others feel comfortable. was not easy for me to learn.  and really, i'm still a work in progress...

as time passes, i also see how God has used this very thing in my life to prepare me for soooo many other things. and not just me really.  but my whole family.  i am very thankful that we were all willing to say yes at a very hard time.  it certainly would have been easy to just say no! i also think about how God gives us just enough of the details at the time to help us move forward. and interestingly enough...sometimes that's NONE!!

okay...enough for now... more about changes to come!!!

some things never change

i know.... don't everyone pass out...  yes, it's really me.  i've been thinking about starting back and well, after some, *ahem* friendly pressure to return.. here i am!


so, let's just pretend like i haven't been away for the past ummm what 4 years?? greeeaaat!!!


not much has changed, but at the same time, soooo much has changed!! the craziness still runs rampant in my house.  i find myself thinking "is this really my life??" quite often.  and sometimes i even look at my kids like they have 3 heads.  some days i feel like i have 3 heads honestly.  some days i say the same exact phrase 4523 times.  some days i am reduced to tears several times.  some days i can't stop laughing.  some days my house is a disaster.  some days my house is clean.... yeah. who are we kidding on that one....  some days i stay in the car.  some days my husband says it looks like i live in my car.  not nice.  some days i would like a vacation.  some days my husband says my life IS a vacation.  again, not nice...probably true, but not nice. some days the noise in my house is so loud i have to go outside for a few minutes just to gather my thoughts! some days the laundry has piled up so much from 6 people that it actually scares me. no kidding.  some days i look around and i am literally overwhelmed with gratefulness for my life.  see... some things don't change at all...

Running of the Bulls...Redneck Style...

Saturday night was the 2nd annual College/Career Bonfire at our house. All day it looked ominous...rain was nearby... but thankfully, it stayed away so we could have our get together. It ended up being gray and cool...perfect for a bonfire!!

After everyone had gotten there and we were done stuffing our faces with all the goodies, one of the girls said something about being terrified of cows... INTERVENTION!!!! Since I do live on a farm, some of us decided that it would be a great idea to take M out in the cowfield... at night... in the pitch black moonless night... to overcome her fear.

Brilliant, yes, I know...

So, we loaded up on the golf cart (a very farm-ish vehicle...) and headed to the field. There was absolutely no moon out and the lights on the golf cart were not working. No one thought to bring a flashlight, though someone did have their cell phone and we tried using it as a spotlight from time to time...

Once we found the cows, several of the nuts on the cart got off the cart and started chasing the poor beasts. Loping over the cow patties in the dark, singing while determined to catch a cow and touch it, and trying to pick off the "weak" one to corner.... I have never laughed so hard in my life!!

Just a bunch of rednecks I tell ya....

ryan, steph, me & frank (bff's fo-eva)

some of the "cow chaser extraordinaries"

steph frolicking through the cow patties


j doing his cattle call

"deer in the headlights" look...don't ask!!

What A Day!!

WOW!!! What a day!! I am almost, almost too overwhelmed to say anything about today... It has been full of God's goodness and greatness for sure!

Today started out with a very special speaker that came to Sherwood. Gov. Mike Huckabee came and spoke. And not a political message either. I mean, he came and preached. He was funny and gracious. And he even got up on stage and played his bass guitar with us on a song! Too much fun!

Believe me, his coming to our church has brought up many, many a discussion and debate among several of my friends. I have been shocked at the people that have had so many negative things to say about him speaking in a church. Some have said he has an agenda. That he is just trying to be manipulative and deceptive. Trying to make people feel all warm and fuzzy so that when he runs again for office they will remember him in that way and vote for him. Some have said he was just using it as a promotion for his new book. It also launched discussions about separation of church and state that I was not prepared for... not so much that I wasn't prepared for the discussion itself, but from the people it came from...

Here's the thing... Mike Huckabee is a good man. He loves the Lord and his country. He can't separate his love for either of them. And he shouldn't. He didn't use the pulpit this morning to promote his book... he used the pulpit this morning to promote Christ.... He brought a wonderful message of hope in a time that for many feels hopeless. And as for separation of church and state, well, you will have to excuse my political "incorrectness"... I want my leaders to love the Lord. I want the leaders of our nation to turn to the Lord for wisdom in their decisions. I want politicians in the pulpit that have a geniune love for Christ and pastors behind the desks in Washington. Because look at how things have gone without Him...

Later today, we were priveledged to find out the theme and title of the next movie that our church would be making.

It's called COURAGEOUS. The subject matter is about fathers/fatherlessness, calling men to step up and be the husbands and fathers that they need to be. I can't wait!!!

A Belated Vetran's Day Thank You...

It's a little late, I realize...

But, I did want to say a heart felt thank you to the soldiers past, present and future who sacrifice so much...

They give of themselves to protect us... so that we can go about our daily lives the way that we want to...
Some leaving never to return home... never to see their families again...

It reminds me of the ultimate "veteran"... Who sacrificed more than any other... And He did it not out of love for country, but out of love for you and for me...

And even though He paid the ultimate price for our freedom... He will be coming back again...

Operation Christmas Child

Tis the season... already... I can't believe it's almost Christmas! And though I am not as good as some of my friends who have already purchased their children's gifts, I do know what mine will be getting... it's just a matter of writing it down and actually going to get it!

Baby steps, people, baby. steps!

However, the time has come again for us to do our shoeboxes. It's a simple thing really. Fill a shoebox with goodies for a child, box goes all over the world to reach a little one who otherwise wouldn't get anything for Christmas, and somehow... hopefully, they feel the love of Christ through that simple box.

I never do well when I have to go get the stuff for the boxes... I usually have a few things in mind I want to put in the boxes. But then while I'm shopping I just want to keep on putting things in my basket! Now, I know that if I don't stop half of what I've gotten is NOT going to fit, but for some reason I just get so stinkin' emotional while I am buying for those shoeboxes!! Thinking of those kids... and the JOY in their eyes... makes my heart feel like it will burst!! The overflow from that usually ends up in my eyes!!

Anyway, Frank and I decided that this year we would make it a family project instead of me just filling them up. So, one night last week after supper, we sent all the kids into the dining room. I had everything set up for them. A box in front of each of their chairs with the items to go in the box beside it. Frank talked with them about what the boxes were for and who would be getting them and why it was important for us to send them. He did a really good job of explaining in a way they could grasp.

Then it was time to fill them. Now, I really expected some tears. Honestly... that's why I had my camera. (good parenting award here I come!) Especially where my Wyatt was concerned... I had picked things that he would want to go in his box for his child. So I fully expected him to pitch a fit to keep those things for himself. But you know what?? Nobody said one word... not a tear... not a sad face... nothing. They all just got to work filling their little boxes. Even Mallory. She didn't ask to keep anything either. Well, she did start to brush her teeth with the toothbrush that was supposed to go in her box! Thankfully I had a spare!!

Then after the boxes had been filled, we asked each of them to pray over their box and for the little boy/girl that would be getting their box. Without hesitation Wyatt started. He folded his hands and said a super sweet prayer that included "please let him brush his teeth good so they can be clean and not have any yellow left on his tooth"... I had to bite my lip... hard... Jack and Mallory prayed for their boxes and children too. I left that room in shock. Really in shock. And grateful for the opportunity the Lord had given us to share that with our kids.

Sometimes, lots of times, a teachable moment goes terribly wrong in our house... and sometimes... it just goes right...

Movie Night

Busy start to a busy weekend! Tonight was Wyatt's best little buddy's birthday party... it was a "lizard" party... sounds funny, I know, but it was really cute. They had a lizard hunt in the backyard which was right up Wyatt's alley... Little plastic lizards and turtles and bugs were scattered all over the yard and the kids were given little nets and a bug canister and off they went in search of the goods! It was really cute! After that they had a lizard show... I didn't stay for that part, but big iguanas and that sort of thing was what all the kids got to see.... also right up Wyatt's alley! And just like any faithful best buddy would do, Wyatt spent the night after the party....

So, Frank and I thought it would be a great idea to take the other 2 kiddos to the movie. And since it was opening night of A CHRISTMAS CAROL that was the movie of choice... besides, Frank and I wanted to see it anyway, so what better thing to do than to use your children as the excuse to go and see it??

Let me just say that the movie was GREAT! It was in 3D which I love, and really put me in the Christmas spirit! When it was over I was ready to run home, throw up the tree, and bake a pie...all while listening to Christmas music, of course!! When I told that to Frank he said that the thought of going home to put up the tree made him want to throw up! Hmmm, obviously he left his Christmas spirit in the theater with Mr. Scrooge!! Oh Well....

While the effects of the movie were great and the characters were spot on and of course the story itself is fabulous.... let me just give you a warning.... If you think this is going to be a warm and fuzzy family Christmas movie YOU ARE WRONG!!! I'm pretty sure that Mallory is gonna have nightmares from now UNTIL Christmas! It was scary!! NOT suitable for small children!! The trailers do NOT depict the scariness of it well at all! There were times I was jumping in MY chair!! So BEWARE!! Think long and hard about what your kids can really be okay with before you take them!!!

Hmmmmm.....now where is that Christmas tree??? Guess I will go ask Frank! :)

Catch Up & Halloween Fun

Okay, so I have taken a little break....okay a big break!!! But, I have been feeling very "bloggish" lately and think I am ready to start back!! So, I hope to be able to catch up on some of your blogs over the next several days!

Quick rundown of whats been going on: same old same old basically...very busy summer with taking kids here, there, and everywhere! Won't bore you with all the details...much time spent at the pool cause it was too stinkin' hot to do anything else! Then school started. This year Wyatt started "big boy" school. No more mothers morning out! All day school complete with bus riding. I must say I was nervous about him riding at first even though Jackson started riding at his age and would be on the bus with him. But it has worked out and he even gets disappointed on the days that I do take them or pick them up.

Schedule stays busy, as I'm sure most of yours do too... Mallory started taking dance this year. She looks so cute in her tutus!! And she loves every minute of dance class...and showing off what she learns! Jackson started taking guitar lessons... I thought after a few weeks of it he would quit... but he didn't. Never complains about practicing. And his teacher says he is a quick learner and picked a really difficult song for his first one (Chris Daughtry-Call Your Name) and has done a great job on it. He loves to pick up his guitar when the music is on and see if he can pick up the song... sometimes he even does!

Halloween: Mallory wanted to be Little Orphan Annie. It is her favorite movie...she watches it at least 5 times a week! And she can sing Tomorrow like nobody's business! Wyatt was a paleontologist (thats a big dinosaur geek for those that don't know) He wants to be one when he grows up... I'm not kidding.. He knows every fact there is just about on every dinosaur there is!! It is unbelievable! He can even say the names of some of them that I couldn't say if I wanted to! Jackson was a rocker...kinda... He said at first that he wasn't going to dress up, that he was too old for that... so I told him that like Christmas if you don't believe you don't receive (I know you have all heard that before!) that if he did not dress up as something, he would have to go trick or treating with us, but would have to stay on the trailer and not get any candy. I know... I'm horrible... but I wasn't ready for him not to dress up yet!

So, enjoy a few pictures from halloween night below... OH, just as a side story for you...
About 5 houses into trick or treating Wyatt puked in someones yard...all down the sleeve of his cute outfit... Apparently, he bit into his glow necklace that his buddy had given him and drank some of the liquid which almost instantly made him sick!

AAAAHHHH....the good times people...they just keep a comin' over here....

And no...it didn't glow!!

ANNIE

DR. GRIFFIN-PALEONTOLOGIST

THE GANG

Just testing to see if I can post from my phone yet! Hope this works!

Family Beach Trip 09

We just got back yesterday from our annual family beach trip with all of Frank's family. All of his sisters and their families and Frank's parents along with us take a beach trip together in April. This was our 3rd one and I must say that this was the best! The kids were a little bigger so we didn't have to be so scheduled and they could really enjoy the beach. They also all swim and that was a BIG plus!

The weather could NOT have been better! Sunny skies every day and breezy! I was able to sit on the beach every day and sun myself for HOURS on end! It was truly wonderful...and needed!

While we were there we also celebrated Mallory's 3rd birthday Saturday! My MIL got her a Dora cake and after supper we sang to her and had cake and ice cream! My sweet nieces, Brittny and Haley gave her a "manicure and pedicure" (which basically means painted her piggies and fingernails) and did her hair! She got her 1st barbie doll (given to her by her Aunt Chris) and she loved it!! I can't believe my baby girl is 3!!!!

Anyway, its back to real life now...ugh! At least I can still daydream about laying on the beach all day....

Move Over Michael Jordan!

It's true...I haven't posted about my husband's dog in a while... But it's only because he and I have not come to an understanding yet about what is acceptable to chew and/or use the bathroom on and what is not.  However, one thing that I have found super funny about Notch is that he can attack some bubbles like nobodys business!  The little kids were blowing some a couple of days ago and Notch just went bezerk!!  He was chasing them down like you would not believe!  Even to the point of catching air!  So, I took some pictures of him trying to eat all the bubbles.  Michael Jordan ain't got nuttin' on him!!

Twice in one day?? What's going on??

okay... I KNOW I just posted, but this is too funny!  For everyone that is a Facebook user... you MUST watch this!!!  Don't forget to turn off my playlist!!

10 little things I love...

My friend, Amanda, gave me a high five and asked me to participate in this little list...  So, I will give you my list of 10 little things that I love that make my life a bit easier...

1. Edward, my laptop.  My wonderful, loving, caring, and fabulous hubby gave me a new laptop after my old one, we determined was not going to live more than 5 more minutes.  I love it and could not live without it!

2. my iPod.  I live with my iPod on about 5 hours out of the day.  Seriously.  I'm not kidding.  First thing I do in the morning when I am getting my cup of coffee is to turn on my iPod.  Hardly watch tv at all during the day.  Music is playing all day though.  If I thought my iPod was fried...I would melt into a puddle on the floor and have a hissy...yes maam I would...

3. my bose docking speaker.  See #2... I bought this for my husband for Father's day one year.  He hardly ever used it so he brought it back home for us to use here.  My iPod lives there.  Unless it is traveling with me in the car.  It allows me to hear my music wherever I am in the house, depending on how loudly I turn it up...which is usually very loud.

4. my cell phone. I love it and yes, I know that I have a problem parting with it.  I don't like for it to be very far from me.  Not so much for talking on it, but for texting.  Hello, my name is Ashley, and I am a textaholic.  I know this, and I readily admit it.  Truly, in most cases, I would rather text than talk.  But texting does allow me to stay connected to those that I love that don't live here (like Ang, and Keli, and Brandi  ...HEY GIRLS!!!)  That's the way that I feel close since we don't get to see each other all the time.  Bottom line...I NEED MY PHONE!!!

5. DVR.  Some of you may have TIVO, but basically the same thing.  I heart my dvr...very much.  I can rewind something I missed or didn't catch on live tv, I can pause my show so I don't miss anything, I can record 2 things at once AND I can start watching one of my recordings before it has finished.  I can set it to record a certain program every week and it will record it EVEN if the day and time changes that the show comes on or if it comes on an extra time during the week!!!  If you don't have one...INVEST!!! Make your life easier!!

6. my camera.  Also, another purchase by my hunk of a man... well, really it was a joint gift, but he did supply the majority of the funding for said purchase...  But, I love it!  I have never, ever had a camera this nice before and the pictures it takes are A MAZING!!  Makes me look like I have some idea about what I am doing... but I really don't... so don't tell anyone!  It is our anniversary/Christmas/birthday/valentines day/whateverelseforthenext5years gift to each other.  Nikon D90...do you hear the music?  I do...

7. Starbucks.  White chocolate mocha with whip... do I really need to justify this one??  I didn't think so...

8. facebook.  Okay, I know that I may be reaching on this one, but... I resisted soooo long before I finally caved.  Now, I love it!  I have been able to get in touch with people that I haven't seen in 15 years!!  It has been so much fun reconnecting with them again!  And, i can just shoot friends a quick message whenever I want to!  If you don't have a FB page, you should give it a try!  But a quick warning... it CAN be as, if not more so, addicting than blogging!!

9. my calendar. I can not live without my calendar.  And I don't mean one on my phone or computer either.  I mean my good, old fashioned, hanging on my fridge calendar.  I have to write everything down on it.  And I check it everyday, sometimes more than once... or twice... just in case something has changed...hehehe  Seriously, I can't tell you how much I depend on it.  If I don't write it on there, it ain't gonna happen sistah!

10. my GHD.  AKA my flat iron.  I love this flat iron.  GHD actually stands for Good Hair Day.  I'm not kidding...  And, again, my fabulous man bought this for me for Christmas a couple of years ago.  I haven't had many bad hair days since I figured out how to use it properly!  It is a bit pricey for a flat iron, but soooo worth it!  Try it!  You'll see...

Not Much Longer Now...

MMMMMMM HMMMMM..... that's all I'm sayin.... Only about 1 month to go....

Happy Birthday Jackson

Jackson,

I can't believe that you are 8 years old today!!!  Wow!!  You have grown and changed sooo much!  You started the 2nd grade this year and completed a lot of your work before Christmas!  You are such a smart kid!  Your brother and your sister, even though they bug you a lot, love you very much and always have fun playing with you.  You and Wyatt especially love to pretend like you are Jedi's and fight with your light sabers.  And there isn't a video game out there that you can't play!  You have gotten so tall this year too.  You are almost as tall as I am!!! (Which Daddy says isn't really saying all that much...anyway...) You have become such a helper for mommy too.  You make the bed in the morning and get yourself dressed.  You take the big garbage can to the road for dad and even help mommy with the dishes, loading and unloading the dishwasher, though you DO think its fun to wash them in the sink!  You are a great reader too!  Wyatt and Mallory love for you to read them stories!  And you can play dominos with the best of us!  You love to be with your Gran-Gran on the farm...anywhere that he goes, YOU want to go.  You even call him and ask him if he has any work for you to do!!  And you love to spend the night with your Mia and Papa and go eat breakfast with Papa and his buddies on Saturday mornings!  You even share your Papa's love for golf and played in a tournament this past summer.  And you also learned how to drive a 4wheeler at the Davis' house!  But the best most important thing of all...this year you gave your heart to Jesus.  Out of everything you have done, and everything else you will do, you have already done the best thing by asking him into your heart.  I love to see you reading your Bible and taking it with you to church.

Mommy and Daddy love you so much!!  And we are so proud of you!!