Happy Birthday Beaver!

Beaver is my oldest friend. Not that she's old. I have friends who are older than Beaver. In fact, I'm older than Beaver. It's that she has been my friend longer than any other person in the world - except my brother, and he doesn't count!

Beaver and I have been friends since we were in the nursery at our church - more than 35 years! Ahhh, did I just type that number? Wow, I feel ancient! She has 4 wonderful kids, a handsome hubby and the voice of an angel! She has the best handwriting of anyone I know and is extremely creative. When we were in college, she came to visit me for the weekend at HPU. The next week was my birthday. I got a package in the mail from her - an outfit she had just "whipped up" for me! It even included matching hairbows (it was the 80's)!!

I wish I could say that Beaver and I have remained close all these years. Living far away from each other has made it harder to stay as close as we'd like. But time and miles haven't changed the fact that she is one of my favorite people and I'm so glad she is a part of my life. I would post a picture of her from when we were growing up, but I don't dare. Beaver has an arsenal of old pictures too - and she's not afraid to use them!

Happy

Birthday Beaver!

Heartsjoy's Birthday

Today my sweet friend celebrates her birthday! And, being a twin, so does her sister, Literature Lover!

I won't tell you her age, but I'll let you do the math. This picture was taken in 1997. If you can see the candle, you can see which birthday we were celebrating.

Heartsjoy - you are one of my favorite people in the world. You are so sweet and funny and you have been a blessing to me for more than 10 years! God bless you today!

I love you!

Lost Withdrawals

I already miss LOST. This is Wednesday, the night the hubby records JERICHO and LOST. After church and after the kiddos are in bed we stay up as late as we need to in order watch both shows. I guess tonight it will just be JERICHO.

How sad!

Urgent Prayer Request

Please visit my sister's blog and read about this military family. They are in desperate need of our prayers right now and for the next few days.

It's Official...

I'm allergic to cotton! OK, not the kind you wear, the kind that grows in the ground. The kind that everyone out here in West Texas grows! The kind that provides for the livelihood of the families of our church. You might say that cotton pays for my husband's salary! And I'm allergic to it! What's funny is everyone here tells me that this is the allergy capital of Texas. Funny, that's what they say no matter where you live in Texas. I know, because I've lived everywhere!

This is cotton-picking time and I guess it's just in the air. We're still new here, but I'm told that just about everyone here suffers during this time of year. The cotton and the chemicals (yuck) wreak havoc on everyone. After suffering for 2 weeks - and being miserable after football games and trick-or-treating, I was told to "go get a shot" like everyone else does. I kept thinking it would just go away, but they still said, "go get a shot". But I don't have seasonal allergies - my mom and my sister do, not me.

I can't believe I'm blogging about nasal passages and itchy eyeballs, but I'm just so glad to get some relief. I got the shot (along with a flu shot) so, now I'm on Zyrtec and Nasonex and life is much sweeter.

I know you must be so glad that you just read a blog entry about seasonal allergies! What a waste of time!

He's Three!!

Happy Birthday little monkey!

Birthday Pancakes

Here are some pics from his party-

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie...

...he'll crawl under your refrigerator and DIE!

I knew I smelled something funky in the kitchen! I got the flashlight and searched under the fridge (where the odor was the worst) and there he was. All I could really see was his skinny tail. Big, strong Hubby moved the fridge and now that nasty mouse and his even nastier stench are gone!

Kinda makes me miss the days when we had a cat!

The Other Day on Oprah...

OK, I don't usually watch Oprah, but every once in a while I will see what's on. She's been showing parts of her cross-country road trip with Gayle - and it's really funny. So, the other day I caught the end of their journey. As they drove through Ohio, they took the opportunity to spend some time with an Amish family. IT WAS FASCINATING! The couple was young, maybe 30, with 3 kids. They sat outside at a picnic table, chatting with Oprah and Gayle. They discussed the Amish lifestyle, modern conveniences, traditions, marriage, courtship, pre-marital sex...really interesting stuff. As you can imagine, Oprah and Gayle couldn't fathom no dating until 18, no sex before marriage, marriage and sex with one person for a lifetime, etc. But what blew them away was that the couple said they were 100% content with their lives. They wouldn't change ANYTHING about the way they live.

Do you know anyone completely content? Are you? Are there things you would change about the way you live in order to find more contentment? Why are we so unwilling to live a simple life in our modern society? Does simplicity provide more contentment?

This couple fascinated me. They subscribe to Time magazine, so they do know what's going on in the world. They have an electric washing machine (not anything like what any of us have, but still...). They use modern equipment to milk the cows. All these things surprised me. What also surprised me was how beautiful their home was. Why did I think otherwise? Just because they are known for being plain doesn't mean they don't enjoy beauty. The inside of the house was decorated simply and tastefully. The walls were painted blue. There were fresh flowers in vases in several rooms.

The interview really made me think. No, I'm not about to become Amish. But there are aspects of their lifestyle that really are worth contemplating. What would I be willing to give up for a simpler life? Not the internet, for sure! What's funny is that I found myself wanting to see more into the lives of the Amish - and my first thought was, "I wonder if there are any Amish blogs?" I immediately realized the absurdity of that thought! But how disappointing! Wouldn't it be great if there were an Amish blogroll out there?

Dumb Dumb Dumb

This is by far the DUMBEST movie I have ever seen. EVER! Yes, it has taken me this long to see it. It was funny - very funny at times. But, it was so incredibly DUMB! I just kept praying that my boys wouldn't turn out like anyone in the movie! I also kept imagining my brother, sister, cousin, and nephews laughing their heads off during this movie - quoting every line! What kind of sick family are we? GOSH!

Sick Day

My older son woke up this morning not feeling so well, but he really wanted to go to school (not because he wanted to be at school. He was excited to wear his new pants! How girlie!). He had just a little bit of fever, but within the limit. So, dad took him to school. Well, just as I thought, the school secretary called - asking me to pick up D. When we got in the car I asked if the nurse had taken his temp. She had. Here's our conversation:

"What was your temp?"
"Umm, 91"
"Well, I think it was probably a little higher"
"Uh, 160"
"I know for sure it wasn't 160"
"Why?"
"Because you'd be dead!"

As soon as he walked through the door he put in "The Incredibles", plopped down on the couch and informed me he was hungry. I guess after everyone saw his new pants, it was time to go home!

Thoughts on Motherhood

I've been reading an article in Radiant magazine called The Stay-at-Home Question: What is the New Ideal for New Mothers? Although I don't consider myself a "new" mother, the discussion is interesting. Here is a quote I keep coming back to:

Leslie Leyland Fields, mother of six and author of Surprise Child ...notes the tendency some have - even within the Church - to criticize and even look down upon those who do not adhere to the functions of the at-home mom. "There are those in our churches who believe that unless you're homeschooling, taking your children to every church event and service, devoting your every minute to your children - unless you are all these things, you're not a good Christian mother," she says. "I disagree. I think we're sometimes in danger of deifying our children and our family, setting them up as idols in place of God."

Here are some of my thoughts and questions:

• Knowing that it is ideal for children to be at home with mother let's say at least until preschool/Kindergarten, will there ever be situations when it IS within God's will for mom to work outside the home?
• Are my friends who work full-time out of God's will?
• What about those mothers in ministry or fields of public service (ex: doctor), is it ever God's will for them to return to their careers when their children are small?
• I think it's easy to assume that God's will is for all mothers to stay home with their children, but do we ever set up our role as sahm as an idol?
• Is it possible to take mothering TOO seriously, therefore ignoring what God might be leading you to do that's different?
• Is devoting yourself so completely to mothering stripping you from who you are?
• Can we get lost in the role of mother?

I so enjoy reading blogs. Most of the blogs I read are written by moms - from all walks of life. I enjoy everything from the homeschooling/homesteading/ultra-conservative mom to the leave-your-kids-with-daddy-for-a-girlfriend-weekend mom to the career-minded mom who lives in the city. All these moms love their kids - and the Lord! Sometimes though I can walk away from the computer feeling discouraged. "Am I supposed to be living like that mom?" "Should I be doing what she does?" "Should I be churning my own butter and making my kids clothes?" (Just kidding - ain't gonna happen!)

I know that just like educating our children, each family must seek God's will for their family regarding whether mom works. I admire homeschooling moms tremendously. God isn't telling me to do that. I so love being at home with G. But will there be a time when it's His will that I work - especially if my work is ministry?

There may only be 4 people out there who read this, but I would really like some feedback. What are your thoughts?

White Rabbit

Welcome Autumn!

Leaves
Elsie Brady

How silently they tumble down
and come to rest upon the ground.
To lay a carpet, so rich and rare
beneath the trees without a care.
Content to sleep, their work well done
colors gleaming in the sun.
At other times they wildly fly
until they nearly reach the sky.
Twisting, turning through the air
til all the trees stand stark and bare.
Exhausted, drop to earth below
to wait, like children, for the snow.


Oh, I love autumn! If only it looked and felt like this here in West Texas! Although the afternoons get quite warm, the mornings have been beautiful and cool - a chill in the air. Saturday I got out all the fall decorations and today I bought pumpkins for the front porch! I LOVE AUTUMN!!! Pumpkin bread and caramel apples. Sleeping with the windows open (you can do that in a small town!). Friday night high school football games!

I would add some other great fall pictures I found, but Blogger is being Blogger. I guess this is as good as it gets!

Happy Birthday Kacole!

Today is my sister's birthday! She is smart, stylish, creative, talented and absolutely hilarious. She is straight-forward and tender-hearted. Tears come very easily and so does laughter! She is compassionate, practical, and can turn trash to treasure in the blink of an eye. She is thoughtful and gives wonderful gifts full of meaning.

Not only is she a great sister, but a wonderful aunt! When our first nephew was born, she introduced herself to him and said she would be his "favorite aunt"...ahem! She wasn't far away when both my boys were born and loved them from the moment she saw them. All our kids are crazy about her, even though she moved out of the house with the pool! She also has been known to give the kids some awesome gifts as well - even though they can be awfully noisy! But, her day is coming. The brother and I have vowed to supply her kids with the most obnoxious toys on the market!

Since I am the emotional, sappy one, I will keep this post along those lines. Our brother can roast our sister in his usual manner! In all, my sister is one of my most favorite people in the world. I wish we lived next door to each other, but I'm sure we never will get that privilege. One day she will become an incredible mother and I can't wait to see her become that person.

So, Happy Birthday Sis! I love you very much. Here's a thought I heard this morning that made me think of you:

"When you get in your late 20's, you realize that no one you ever looked up to knew what they were doing either!" -John Mayer

Oh so true!

But I Really Want It

We always want what we can't have!

I'd give just about anything for a huge, fresh spinach salad.

Even if all the fresh spinach in the country hadn't been tossed in the DUMPSTER, it's not like I could run to the store and get me some. Our tiny grocery store doesn't sell it even when it hasn't been contaminated with E-coli! Sad, huh? We only have iceberg and wilted green leaf!

I really want some spinach!

Interesting Observation

Being a mother can be tough. It was interesting to read that a panda mother's heart breaks, too!

Please Pray for this Family

A few months ago, Susan wandered over to my blog and now I consider her a friend. There is something so wonderful about blogging with Christian women. The Lord has a way of knitting our hearts and lives together in a special way - even if we never meet in person.

Susan and her family are on a heart-wrenching journey right now. She is pregnant with their 4th child, due next week. A few months ago they found out that their baby has no kidneys. This means that as long as he/she is in her womb, there is life. A few hours after delivery, their baby will die. As most of you know, at the end of pregnancy, the only thing you can think about is going into labor. You are anxious to deliver and hold this precious life growing inside you. You are READY to have your baby. Not so for Susan. She knows that when Tuesday comes, she will in fact deliver her baby and hold him/her until that little life is gone. She has stayed so strong all this time, but reality is setting in as the day grows closer.

Susan and Marty have 2 sons here on earth. I mentioned this is her 4th baby. This will be the second child born to this couple with Potter's Syndrome. Please take a few minutes to participate in some ministry opportunities for this family. In the days to come there will be hundreds of people praying for and encouraging this sweet family through a very difficult time.

What's He Saying?

This is what G, my almost-3-year old, says daily: "mompadod"

We know what he's saying, but can you figure it out?

White Rabbit

My friend decided a long time ago that it would be fun to be the first one to say "White Rabbit" on the first day of the month. This game has become quite an obsession among a few of us. She and I have gone to great lengths to "White Rabbit" each other - even using our children if necessary! I was accused of taking the game way too seriously when I (through shear determination!) had my second child 8 days early - November 1st! I just knew I'd have myself a little white rabbit baby!!

Of course, DeVon and I still play "religiously", but I've sucked a few others into this psychotic game - like my husband and sister. It is SO aggravating to make the trip to the potty sometime after midnight on the 1st and hear hubby say "White Rabbit" when you crawl back into bed!

Knowing that my sister will probably check my blog today, this one is for her!

Gotcha!

Hurry Up October 4th

Only 33 days until the return of this!!!!

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