The cold and me

The cold weather that we've been having means that I've been eating way too many of these...


And not enough of these....

And haven't been doing enough abs on this...

Or getting my cardio on this...


I've got some work to do.

Please continue to be in prayer for all those in Northwest Arkansas who are without power and have been without power for several days. Check out B's site to get some updated photos on the

destruction and devastation.

Just call him "Ace"

We've had some weather here in Arkansas this week in the form of rain, freezing rain, sleet and snow. Many are without power and have been without power for several days.

As Husband made the trek home from work on Monday, the weather had already begun and a layer of ice had formed on his truck. We live about 1 minute from his place of employment and so he decided it wasn't necessary to completely defrost the truck before coming home.

Instead, he put on his toboggan, rolled down the window and stuck his head out. Safe driver, that Husband of mine.

I can only imagine he must have looked something like this...only with a red nose and cold ears.

Yes, she's my girlfriend, mom

Most of you know that D-Man is 3 1/2...and he's the light of our life.

Sidenote...I talk about him way too much, but it's my blog and I'll brag if I want to. (Brag if I want to...Brag if I want to)...end of sidenote.

Anyway, today I stumbled on something quite amusing that I wanted to ask all my bloggy friends about.

How do boys and girls realize that they have "girlfriends" and "boyfriends" even at the early age of 3 1/2. What makes them choose a particular "girlfriend" or "boyfriend?"

Case in point: D-Man had a friend over today because we are in the middle of an ice storm and her daycare was closed and her parents (both in the medical field) had to work. It was a glorious day of play (my oh my how boys and girls play so much better together than boys and boys...another post entirely). And they both agreed that they were each others "boy/girl friend."

Now, they have several friends of the opposite sex that they play with quite often, so what made them choose each other to carry that title? And, can I make it stop? D-Man is my baby and although I know it is innocent at this point, this only solidifies the fact that, yes, my baby is getting older.

I think I'll go put some footed pajamas on him and rock him to sleep tonight...maybe it will turn back time.

Still haven't mastered it

It seems we still use a bit too much shaving cream...and maybe smear it around too much.

Oh, and we've gotten a tatoo...or maybe 4.

Holiness.

When you hear or see that word what comes to mind?

Perfection, separation, mystery are a few that I think of.

But what does that mean when talking about our Lord?

For me, I've had a week or so to think about these questions as I've prepared for my Sunday School lesson. And what I've been reminded of is this.

God is God and NO ONE else will ever be. If God decides someday that He doesn't want to man this ship anymore, there is NO ONE else who can do it. God is separate from us and we will NEVER be able to measure up to even an ounce of who He is. God has told us so many things about Himself, but there are still some things that remain a mystery.

God loves us and wants a relationship with us. But, be mindful of the way you approach God on His throne. Approach with humbleness and meekness and reverence for He is holy and perfect and is separate from us.

This song from Mercy Me talks about God's reign and how wonderful it is. Always remember who is in control (not us) and who is driving the ship (not us) and who reigns (not us)...the answer is, has been and will always be, GOD!

Daddy's hands sometimes need help

A few weeks ago, Husband broke out his electric guitar so that he could put new strings on it. This guitar is one that he got when we both were in high school and he had time to actually play. Lately (after playing many rounds of Guitar Hero with my little brother), I think the urge to play has returned. So, he bought new strings and began the process of preparing it for play.

And like most things that Daddy does, D-Man was right in the middle...watching his every move...trying to assist anyway he could. And like he reacts everytime, Husband invited D-Man to be involved and help him out.

That's one of the things I so love about Husband...he wants to be involved with his son and wants to show him the ropes. He wants to introduce him to new things. He wants to be there for him. He wants to help him. He wants to love him.

Husband could have easily done the task himself, with his own hands, but instead he wanted the help of ten extra fingers and two extra hands to make the job complete.

No pitching a fit here

No sir...instead we pitched a tent. Inside. On the playroom floor. With lots of blankets. And the portable DVD player.

The cold has caused this old (I say that because I will be *clearing my throat* 31 very soon) mommy to become very creative and imaginative and bring out any extra electronics I could find. Forget the fact that are three perfectly normal sized TVs in the house...D-Man wanted the little one and wanted complete control.

It was a great day and here's a picture of D-Man ending his day...smelling like a clean boy (thank goodness), eating some dried fruity Cheerios and watching a movie in his tent. What more could a little boy want?

A groupie I may be

I don't even want to say this, because it will most definitely make me look like a groupie...and so what if I am. But, I'm going to say it anyway.

I am a paying member of the Brad Paisley Fan Club.

There. I said it. It's out in the open. Please don't judge.

I joined back several months ago when I heard that he was going to be in our capitol city. I knew that if I joined and paid the fee, I would not only get his newest CD, but I would get a chance to purchase tickets well in advance of others.

So, when the time came for me to order the tickets, I ordered 4...Husband, myself, my sis (J-Lee) and her husband (J-Man). The only catch (I found out) was that you wouldn't know where you sit until the day of the show. This worried me a bit, but I felt pretty confident we would have ok seats because the website said so.

The concert was this past Friday and I was very anxious all day long because I was still uncertain about where we would be sitting. If we in fact did have FANTABULOUS seats, I would be deemed the wonderful wife, fantastic sister and amazing sister-in-law by all respective parties who would be attending with me. If we didn't have good seats, I would be known as the one who got the sorry tickets.

Now you see the reason for my anxiety???

Well, rest assured that I am in fact a wonderful wife, fantastic sister and amazing sister-in-law. And here is proof. Yep, you are reading correctly. Floor. 3rd row. Almost on the stage. Score one for me.

And here is J-Lee (on the right) and I enjoying the show...see Brad directly behind us? That's because I am a wonderful wife, fantastic sister and amazing sister-in-law who got us great seats. I'm just saying...

Many, many prayers

I don't know this family personally, but I feel like I do because I've been reading all three of their blogs for many, many months now.

Kelly has been keeping us up-to-date on her pregnancy and she delivered sweet Harper on Friday.

Harper is experiencing some complications and has been moved to Tulsa to the NICU at St. Francis. Please send prayers up for Harper and her parents, Scott and Kelly. Please also send up prayers for her grandparents and for all the other babies who are in the NICU.

God hears prayers...

For now...this is all I've got

We are gearing up for a big weekend here in the D-House. We are all headed to the Rock...Little Rock that is.



Husband and I are going to see one of our favs for the 2nd time in less than six months. Any guesses on who it might be...BRAD PAISLEY!



We are pumped. We so enjoyed his first concert (despite the fact that I had caused some slight finger malfunctions only a few days prior) and can't wait to see him again.



The rest of the weekend will be spent seeing family and friends, talking (A LOT) and I'm sure eating (one of my favorite past times).



So, I'll be signing off for now. Let me know how each of you is doing. Happy Weekend!

And to my sweet, sweet nephew, Goose-Man, Happy Birthday!

Messages

Yesterday, D-Man and I suffered from a bit of tummy trouble, so all of our plans were put on home and we spent some quality time at home. Thankfully, all is well now and I hope we can return to normal life.

Anyway, keeping a 3 1/2 year old occupied for 11-12 hours a day is a full time job. One of the projects we did yesterday involved cutting with scissors. Safety scissors, I might add.

I like to give D-Man the opportunity to cut with his safety scissors from time to time because mastering scissors is something that takes practice.

So, he's cutting some paper into smaller pieces and he says to me, "Mom, this is a message."

"Who is it a message from?"

To which D-Man replied, "It's a message from the Lord."

Trying to hold back my laughter, "And what does the Lord have to say."

"Take me to the movies."

And there you have it, I always knew the Lord was the one driving this ship and apparently now, D-Man is his co-captain.

Hope this made you smile and makes your Wednesday a little brighter!

Being Still

I'm at a point in my life where this video speaks volumes to me.

And I know there are many out there who are at a similar place. Be still today and find solitude and peace in all God has in store for you.

In your opinion, is it excessive?

D-Man is a great sleeper...I hesitate to even say those words because I don't want to mess things up, but he really is.

In fact, he's been a really great sleeper all his life. I am blessed, yes I know that.

I think it could be partially do to the fact that he has a lot of love at night.

Case in point...

From left to right you have Clifford the Big Red Dog (clad in his Arkansas Razorback jersey), Curious George, Baby Bear, another Curious George (in yellow shirt), MaMa Cow and PaPa Bear (PaPa Bear and MaMa Cow are the proud parents of Baby Bear...in D-Man's eyes).

And somewhere in that mix amongst all the furriness, D-Man lays his head and dreams sweet dreams.

Let's hope that he stops at 6 furry friends or I'm going to have to get bunk beds for D-Man's room.

A Wonderful Surprise!

Lindsey at Keeping Up With the Spences surprised me with a wonderful award! This award was given based on my "great attitude" or "great gratitude!" I am so humbled. Thanks, Lindsey, for reading my blog and giving me such a nice award.

This award comes with some rules for passing on the love and they are as follows:

Put the logo on your blog or post. Nominate at least 10 blogs which show GREAT ATTITUDE and/or GRATITUDE! Be sure to link to your nominees within your post. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog. Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you received your award

So, here are my ten blogs...

His Door Keeper

Angie @ Bring the Rain

Sarah @ Toddler World

B @ The Queen B

Brittani @ Holding Little Hands

Shannon @ Bless Our Nest

Potted Goose

Liz @ In the Harvest

Nicole @ He Gives Me Grace

Elizabeth @ Finding Him Bigger

Go check all of these ladies out and wish them congrats!

Mom's the Man Now that Dad is Gone

It's true. Now that Husband has settled back into the routine of work many, many, many hours and days a week, I am the cool one again.

I am the one that D-Man runs to when he wants to play a fun game, I am the one he excitedly asks to read a book to him and I am the one he wants to be with.

And I am ok with it...but we really miss Husband. I like feeling loved again (not that I ever felt unloved while Husband was home). (And, Husband, if you are reading this, don't think I am happy that you've gone back to work...I'm just the opposite).

Anyway, D-Man had become a 100% Daddy's boy for 2 weeks, but now he's mine!

A New Year, A New Me

WOW!


Has 2008 really come and gone?

Is it really already 2009?

It seems like I've been away from my bloggy friends for a very long time. But I have to tell you...it was good for me to get away.

Not that I don't love each and everyone of you, but I needed a refocus of all things in my life.

So, I began 2009 not with resolutions, but with "things I plan to do."

I plan to be with my family more and at the computer less. What that means for all of you out there is that like it or not, I may not post everyday.

I plan to exercise more and eat less. What that means for me is that hopefully my jeans will fit better or not at all because I've lost enough weight to go down a size. Wish me luck, and don't send food!

And, most importantly, I plan to spend more time in my favorite word, God's word. What that means for you and for me is that I know that God will give me insight to more of His wonderfulness and I can spread that to all of you.

What goals/resolutions/"to dos" have you set for yourselves this year?

It's good to be back...I'm glad you came by...come again soon.