Happy Halloween

Enjoy the day with those sweet little children! I'm sure I'll be blogging about our Bob the Tomato experience in days to come.

New Wednesday Tip

***Updated to add***

Today's "Works-for-me Wednesday" Tip I've been using for quite awhile. At the beginning of every month, I look on my calendar and find out who has birthdays that month. I then go to the store and buy enough cards for everyone. I go home, fill them out, address them and stamp them. This way, when it is time to stick it in the mail, it is already set to go! I don't always get them out on time (sorry to those who have been victims of this), but at least it is addressed and ready to go when I realize I'm behind.

Check out many more great tips at Shannon's site!

**Updated to add that for those birthdays that occur at the beginning of every month, I really try to check the beginning of that month when I'm looking at the birthdays for the beginning of the month before (does that make any sense at all???) Notice I said try.....

Life is Good

D-man's shirt says it all for him, "Life is Good." Cool shirt, Daddy's shoes and my cell phone, what more could a 2 year old need?

Titles on Tuesday

Today's book is another one written by Debbie Macomber and is the 2nd book the Blossom Street Series called A Good Yarn. The website for this book gives the following description:

Lydia Hoffman owns the shop on Blossom Street. In the year since it opened, A Good Yarn has thrived — and so has Lydia. A lot of that is due to Brad Goetz. But when Brad's ex-wife reappears, Lydia is suddenly afraid to trust her newfound happiness.
Three women join Lydia's newest class. Elise Beaumont, retired and bitterly divorced, learns that her onetime husband is reentering her life. Bethanne Hamlin is facing the fallout from a much more recent divorce. And Courtney Pulanski is a depressed and overweight teenager, whose grandmother's idea of helping her is to drag her to seniors' swim sessions — and to the knitting class at A Good Yarn.

I would highly recommend this book as light, pleasure reading. I would call it a feel-good story that will keep you reading.

Enemies

I spent this weekend on the road back and forth between my home and the city I used to live in. I made the trip there and back 3 times, leaving lots of time in the car to think (about the world, my life, my family and those around me). I heard a commercial on the radio station I was listening to on Sunday that gave me and idea for this post; do we or should we have enemies?

Sure, we've all been wronged by someone or something (family member, friend, acquaintance or circumstance). But, what do we do with the feelings we have once the situation has passed? Do we bottle them up inside only to have them explode at a later date? Do we continue to feel ill-will towards the person for the wrong that has been committed? Or do we forgive and forget and have mercy on the person involved? What would God have us do?

In Proverbs 24, verses 17 and 18, it says, "17 Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when he stumbles, do not let your heart rejoice, 18 or the LORD will see and disapprove and turn his wrath away from him." God wants us to help our enemy and not rejoice over their misfortune. He has proven time and time again how merciful He can be on us and wants us to live our lives in the same manner. How can we not follow His lead when He showed us the ultimate mercy by dying for our sins on the cross? Easier said than done, YES, but as a follower of him, we should strive daily to glorify him and live by his example.

God's way is not always the easiest way, but it is the RIGHT way for living a life here on this earth. My prayer for all of you (myself included) today is that God would give the mercy and grace that we each need to forgive those who have wronged us.

Dear Heavenly Father, We thank you today for the many blessings you bestow upon us each and everyday. I ask for a special dose of grace and mercy today that helps me forgive those who have wronged me and instead teach me how to help them rather than rejoicing over their misfortune. For it is your way and no others that I should follow today and always. Please forgive me of my sins and shortcomings. In Christ's name I pray, Amen.

Room with a view

My younger sister, A-Girl, takes a yearly summer trip to the US Virgin Islands. She is able to take her family (her, husband and 2 kids) and they stay in her in-laws home there. What a wonderful family experience they have together, basking in the sun, eating great food and truly relaxing in a day and age where things are so hurried. She has invited my family several times to travel with them, but it just hasn't been where we could take off and go.

This year was no different. They were basking in the sun and swimming in the waves around mid July when I suddenly got the above truly uplifting picture entitled, "My view while laying out." Thanks sis for making me feel a part of that great vacation you had! She had it rough, didn't she?

The New Boots

A month or so ago, I was searching around eBay. I came across some NWT (new with tags for those of you non-eBay users) camoflauge rain boots for D-man. I was able to purchase them and ship them for less than $10 and I did. I really hoped that he would like them, but did not bargain for the depth of that love (see to the left for a look at the boots).

They arrived one afternoon while he was taking a nap and I unpacked them and set them out for him to see when he woke up. When he awoke and saw them, he immediately wanted to put them (with his shorts) and did not want to remove them the rest of the evening. It continued to be this way for several days, as soon as he would wake up, he would want to put his boots on and did not want to take them off without a fight. He even went so far as to want to wear them to our local mexican restaraunt (with his shorts). He loves to eat rice and when rice would fall down into his boots, he would pull them off, dump out the rice, put them back on and continue eating. I finally had to lay down the "mommy law" when he wanted to wear them while taking his nap. I said no (a very exasperated no) and hid them in the back of his closet for several weeks.

Well, the weather has turned cooler, the rains have been more frequent and the boots have come out of hiding. He seems to be much better with them this time and only wants to wear them 95% of the time.

New Wednesday Tip

Well, today's tip actually came via my Mom from my Sister. She drives a white suv and had a paint mark on her car from someone else's car door. In order to get it off, she decided to try a magic eraser scrubbing pad and presto it was gone. I've tried it myself on paint marks and dried bug guts (don't you love my descriptive ways) and it makes handwashing your car that much easier (B, I only do this when I can't get to the carwash). Thanks, Sis, for the tip! (The Magic Eraser website does not list using on your car as a use for the magic eraser. This has worked for me in the past, but I suggest trying it on an small, out of sight area first!)

Be sure and check out all the other great Works-for-me Wednesday tips at Shannon's site!

**Updated to add, Melanie left a comment today that magic erasers have taken the protective finish off some of her painted furniture over time. If bugs are a problem on your car, Melanie suggests spraying Pam oil on the front grate while it is clean. The bugs will rinse right off later.

Thanks Melanie!

Reverting Back

I really like the old blog better, so I've reverted back. Hope I'm not disappointing!

Going Fall

As the air begins to cool and the leaves began to fall, I decided to change the look of the blog a bit. Let me know what you think!

Titles on Tuesday

Today's "Titles on Tuesday" is called Voices of the Faithful by Beth Moore (and friends who put their lives on the line for God). It is compiled by Kim P. Davis. This is a wonderful book filled with inspiring stories of courage from Christians serving around the world. It is a devotional book that has an entry to read for every day of the year.

One of my favorite devotional entries is the one for February 5. The verse reads as follows, "The things that are impossible with people are possible with God" Luke 18:27 (NASB). What a wonderful reminder that all things are possible with God! I would highly recommend this book. The daily devotionals are easy reading and only one page long. It is a very doable daily commitment.

Have a book that you would like to tell us about? Leave a comment below.

The things they say

I was helping D-man get dressed a few days ago. We were having our normal morning conversation (discussing activities for the day, who we were going to see, where Daddy was, etc). Normally, after D-man is dressed and has stood up, I whistle or tell him he looks nice. Well, on this particular day, he decided to tell me something. He stood up and said, "I handsome, Mommy." How cute is that?

One day last week we were taking our normal morning walk/run (he in the stroller) and we were talking about what we were going to be doing that day. As I was telling him what our day was going to be like, he looked up at me and said, "Are you sure?" A few moments later he followed up what I was saying with the question, "Are you serious?" That sweet little face and voice talks very big!

These are the moments I live for!

The Homecoming Kiss

Last week was Homecoming in the small town my family and I live in. This is the same town that my husband and I grew up in. This is the first time in 11 years that I have lived in this town. Therefore, many people I saw in town last week jokingly asked me about "the kiss."

When my husband and I were seniors I was chosen as the Homecoming Queen. My husband was a football player and I chose he and another senior to escort me for all the festivities. I waited all week for Friday to come. I anticipated all the exciting things that were going to happen. The day finally came and night fell on the small town. As I was being escorted across the field to our principal who was waiting to crown me, I could tell my husband (then boyfriend) was very nervous and I could not understand why. Surely, walking me across the field was a lot less nerve-racking than actually playing in a football game? Surely?

Well, a few moments later, he delivered the answer in the form of a kiss, no not on the cheek, but smack on the lips in front of the entire town! It turns out that a teacher had convinced him that kissing me on the lips would make a GREAT picture for the yearbook and so being the obliging soul that he was, he didn't let her down. This picture did pop up in the yearbook and had an entire 2 page spread written about "the kiss" and all the activities surrounding the day.

Was I embarassed you ask? Well, let's just say that after he escorted me to my seat, I returned the favor and 11 years later, we're still talking about it!

Practicing What I Preach

On Wednesday evening, I was at church helping with our Wednesday night activities. When I left the house, it was raining and I knew the chances of rain were in the forecast for the evening. Throughout the evening, various workers were keeping the eye on the storm (tracking it on cell phones and the internet). And, lo and behold, a "Tornado Warning" landed in our area.

Folks, so here I was, helping lead a group of kindergarten and 1st graders and I was reminded of a post I wrote earlier in the week. I quickly remembered that I was to put faith in God and that His will would see our entire group (K-6th grade and workers) through this storm. As we assembled everyone in the basement of our educational building, I had a peace in my heart knowing that God would prevail. He gave me that peace as I talked with a sobbing 5 year old who was terrified of storms, He gave me that peace as I hugged a scared 6 year old and He gave me that peace as I drove home knowing that all was going to be ok.

God is so good and sees us through all things!

Wednesday's Tip

Today's Works-for-me Wednesday tip is one that I use several times a week. I DISLIKE, DISLIKE, DISLIKE browing hamburger, turkey, sausage, etc. I don't like the grease that splashes, the smell it produces or the way it looks. So, a friend invited me to go with her to a Pampered Chef party a few years ago. While there, the demonstartor introduced me to the next love of my life, the Large Micro-Cooker. She told how it would brown frozen hamburger, sausage, or turkey in a matter of minutes in the microwave. "Oh, could it really be," I thought. So, I took the plunge and bought one.

Let's just say, it has been GREAT for me! I would highly recommend this for any busy families on the go. Please be sure to check out Shannon's site for other great tips!

Titles on Tuesday

Today's book is actually a cookbook that my Mom and I are very excited about. It is a cookbook that was featured on Oprah last week. It is called Deceptively Delicious by Jessica Seinfeld (wife of Jerry Seinfeld). The cookbook is jam packed with recipes (low-fat, healthy and great-tasting) that use purees (carrots, squash, broccoli, etc) added to many of our kids favorite foods. I actually tried one of Jessica's tips last week on my husband and son. I added a pureed tomato to my taco meat along with the taco seasoning. Neither my husband or my son like tomatoes and I was able to get them to eat one without even telling them. The meat tasted great and I felt better about how I was helping them eat something healthy.

Got a book you are dying to tell someone about? Leave a comment below for all to read.

Worry and doubt

Ok, I'll just say it and get it out there, I am a worrier through and through. I am one who loves today and all it holds but worries that tomorrow might not be so great. I give my fears and doubts to God many times a day, but always have those few I take back because I think, "Of course I can handle them on my own." I over-analyze most facets of my life, and yet I somehow make it through each day and am able to tell about it. Why? Because God is faithful and true and just and he loves me is trying to teach me along the way that I really can turn ALL things over to him.

In Matthew 6:25-26, Jesus says, "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?" (NIV). God wants us to trust in all that we are and all that He is. He loves us, He cares about us and He wants to worry for us.

So, my prayer for all of you out there today (and for myself) is that true faith in God will overflow your life and He will help you understand that it is His job to take the burdens and our job just to trust that His will be carried out in our lives.

Dear Lord, Thank you for who you are and what you stand for in our lives. Thank you for pledging to carry our burdens and work your will in our lives. May you help each of us hand those worries and doubts to you each day and not take them back. Please forgive us where we fail you. In your Son's precious name, Amen.

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Go Team!!

It is Homecoming Day in the small, rural town that we live in. And you know what that means? The town has painted itself in the school colors and is gearing up for one big day. The Homecoming court has been chosen, the floats have been made and ya'll, I've got to get off here to get pumped up about the pep rally!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So, Go Team!

Remember the days when...

I was talking with my sister-in-law recently about the reading assignments my 1st grade nephew had these days. She happened to have his backpack handy, so she pulled out hig nightly reading assignment for that day. It was called something like "See Sam Smile." All throughout the 8-10 page book, were simple, 2 to 3 word sentences for those beginning readers to sound out and read.

Those were the days...days when life was based on how long we could stay outside at night before it got to dark to see, days when our biggest worry was how much playing we would get to do each day after school, days when kids got to be KIDS. I often wonder today if kids are really kids anymore? Are kids as innocent and nieve as they once were? Or did I just think they were innocent and nieve back then? Post a comment if you would like, otherwise, get outside and enjoy this great weather (if you are in Arkansas at least!)

New Wednesday Tip

Well, today is once again Wednesday, so here's a great craft/decorating project I completed for $12. I'll link it to Shannon's "Works-for-me Wednesday" so you can see other great tips as well.

When we moved into our new home a few months ago, we were lucky enough to have an extra room on the back of the house that we turned into D-Man's playroom. The wall above his storage furniture looked so bare everytime that I went in there that I knew I had to do something (but didn't have a big budget to complete it). I went to Wal-Mart and purchased 6 $2 black frames. I then came home and printed a color word/shape on a piece of computer paper, colored it the appropriate color, framed and hung it. Not only does it fit my space, but it serves as an educational wall hanging as well.

Got a great tip or want to see other great tips? Visit Shannon's site for lots of ideas (and fun)!

Titles On Tuesday

Hello Everyone! It's once again time for my "Titles on Tuesday" post. Today I want to tell you about a book I read several years ago and have once again started it for a book club I'm reading along with.

The book is called At Home in Mitford by Jan Karon. It is a wonderful and comfortable book that gives you that warm all over feeling about Father Tim (batchelor rector in Mitford) and his involvement in the lives of the town. It is a book that is easy to feel at home in.

Have a book that you would like to tell us all about? Please leave a comment below!

Kids and their food

My Mom dropped by today to bring something we had left at her house this weekend. We were chatting and catching up on how each of my siblings were doing (there are 4 siblings, 3 of which are married, 2 of which have kids). Anyway, she was telling me a story about one of my nephews, I'll call him Goose-Man. Goose-Man (age 6) was eating dinner with her on Saturday night. She had fixed him a plate of pinto/brown beans, grilled salmon and turnip greens. As he was eating (everything but his turnip greens), he kept telling her that he didn't really like turnip greens, but there was another type of turnip greens that he really liked. Almost as if he was saying, "NaNa, if you had made those other greens (not sure what he meant) then I would surely eat them."

Now, what NaNa could argue with that? Anyone out there have any fun kids and their food stories?

What about Marriage?

Husband and I made a trip into Louisiana this weekend to attend a wedding for a good friend from professional school. It was a much needed 3 day weekend for us and we very much enjoyed the company we had along the way (picked up a couple of friends halfway) and the friends we saw once we arrived. Much driving was done during these three days (12 hours total) and much conversation was made in reference to weddings. So, here goes my post for today.

Marriage, what does it really mean to couples today? Does the institution of marriage stand for the same things it stood for when our parents and grandparents were married? All questions that I've pondered all weekend and here is what I have to say about them. I hope and pray I don't step on anyone's toes with this and if I do, accept my apology up front. My intention is not to make anyone mad, I just want to talk about the subject.

Marriage is defined by Merriam-Webster Online as "the state of being united to a person of the opposite sex as husband or wife in a consensual and contractual relationship recognized by law." I have heard of many people out there in today's society who feel it is ok not to legally marry just to satisfy the law. They feel that as long as they are married in their "hearts" then they are married. I don't feel that young couples today GET married to STAY married. It seems to me that there is always that out in there somewhere if the need arises.

So, what do you think? Is marriage still the same today as it was in yesteryears?

Reminder

"Titles on Tuesday" will return tomorrow for the 2nd edition. If you want this one to stick around leave a comment and let me know!

Kids...Got to Love them

I am the oldest of five children. The youngest of them turned 11 yesterday and we all gathered at my parents house this evening for a party. How wonderful it was to see all my siblings, their spouses and the nieces and nephews. The night was a great one of food, fun, presents and my bro and his friends playing lots of football and playstation.

We capped off the evening with D-Man asking everyone about his "Sister Sally." Let's just say that she is non-existent, but he claims (thanks to a certain Grandpa) that he has a sister.

So, do you think he is telling us something? Food for thought...Maybe we should get him a pet.

A reminder today....

I help out our church on Wednesday nights with the programs for the young children. I was asked by the director of our group to lead the study last night. As I scrambled and rummaged through my son's books looking for something to teach a group of 5 and 6 year olds, I came across a story called One Lost Sheep. It speaks of the parable Jesus gave in Luke 15 about the shepherd and his sheep. Wow! Our God is so loving, caring and amazing that he won't let anyone be left behind, no not even one.

Our God is so AWESOME and POWERFUL! Thank him today for the love he has shown you!

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for loving us enough to see that we are all in your care. Thank you for your love and your faithfulness. In Christ's name, Amen.

Works-for-Me Wednesday

Today is another edition of Works-for-Me Wednesday over at Shannon's site. Today's topic is a bit different than normal. It is actually a reverse edition subtitled "Backwards Day" where I get to ask a question in hopes that someone out there can give me a great tip!

So, here goes. I am the mom of a 2 year old who is FABULOUS but constantly moving and wanting to do something new! Any great tips for games and such for us to play as the cooler fall/winter months approach? If you've got an answer, leave a comment for me. For other great questions and answers, click on over and visit Shannon's site!

Titles on Tuesday

Ok, today I'm starting something new (really isn't everything I do here on my blog new since I've never done it before????) Anyway, it is going to be called "Titles on Tuesday." Basically, what it will be is a place for us all to tell about a book we've recently read or one that we've read before and really loved. This way, if someone out there was wondering about a particular book, this might be a resource than can check with to decide whether or not to really read it.

So, since today is the day of (I hope) many, let me give my Title on Tuesday. It is called The Shop on Blossom Street by Debbie Macomber. Just a wonderful book about the lives of several women who have come together from all walks of life to learn how to knit. It is very easy to become involved and follow their lives as they walk through the process of learning a new skill while also learning to live life. I would highly recommend it.

What about any of you out there? Got a book you would like to tell us about? Leave a comment below for all of us to see. If you don't have a book this week, be thinking of one for next week and I'll see you then for another "Titles on Tuesday."

The Changing of Seasons

A week ago, fall officially began. This is a time of year when the pace seems to lessen a bit and sometimes it even seems like we have more time at home. Is this because the sun sets earlier or that activities slow down or that we've just decided we need some rest after the busy summer months?

Whatever the reason, these days I view the fall season with much appreciation. Two years ago, the beginning of the fall season brought a true change to the life of my family and I. When my son was 6 weeks old I was told that I had a tumor in my small intestine that would require surgery and further tests to determine just how severe it was. There I was, nursing and caring for my then 6 week old son, and I myself was breaking down. I questioned God's purpose and plan for my life. "Why me?" I asked many times. I begged and pleaded with God for an answer
believing (because of my faith in Him) that His will would be done.

A few weeks after the original diagnosis, I had the surgery, the tumor was removed and after a short stay in the hospital, I came home to recover and move on. The doctors determined that what I had was a freak tumor and should cause me no more complications. How relieved and greatful I was for such a wonderful report!

So, there I was. Fall was beginning, the leaves were changing and I myself had been changed. I had a renewed vigor for Christ and what he meant in my life. Each fall since then, as the leaves start changing and the air becomes cooler, I get that small reminder (almost like a tap on the shoulder) from God reminding me to be faithful and true to Him and He will see me through.