Favorite Foto Friday

Welcome to another week of Favorite Foto Friday, created by Sarah and continued by so many who love to share our Favorite Fotos!

This week's theme is UP.

Because of where I live, when I first saw the theme UP, I immediately thought of two things - UP North and U.P. for Upper Peninsula. And boy do I have a gazillion pictures from both UP North and the U.P! But a gazillion pictures won't fit here so I've chosen a few OLDER pictures, some that I'm pretty sure none of you have seen before. They aren't the crispest or clearest pictures but they hold great memories for us.

Some favorites from The U.P. ~
(2001) and (2003)
Let me tell you, though these pictures are years apart, sometimes you can have pictures like this days apart in The U.P! The weather is crazy UP there!!




Enjoying UP NORTH ~

Snow Mobiling (with Aunt Jamie):
(2002)

Fishing with Family:
(2004)


Lakes and Beaches:
(2004)


Holidays:
(2003)


And of course, Ice Cream:
(2003)



We have VERY fond memories of our trips UP North and are so thankful that we are able to spend part of our summertime UP there every year!

Spelling Bee

I'm working on my Favorite Foto Friday post for today but just can't stop thinking and praying for HomeAudio. The Spelling Bee started about 5 minutes ago and I'm so thankful that I am not there because I am an emotional ball of nerves, pride, and anticipation. His dad, with nerves of steel, is there with him and hopefully remembering to take pictures.

See ya soon for this week's Favorite Foto Friday...

Bachelor Babble 3

This one is dedicated to my dear friend S. I will stay up past my bedtime, type out my 2 pages of notes, and get it posted TONIGHT just for her! Love ya.

So, good gravy what an episode. Where to even begin!?!

The Song Competition: I thought it was fun and cute and most of the girls had a good time and laughed about it. Then there was Nikki...and you know, I felt kind of bad for her because I think I would have been the same way. I am not a performer and not horrendously silly and I could relate.

Molly's Date: I didn't care too much for Molly before but I liked her tonight (before the noises began that is). I thought she was cute and honest and they seem like a cute couple. He obviously couldn't get enough of her kisses as he dropped her off. Question, why couldn't she change back into her clothes before going home?

Group Date: Megan looks so much older than 25 I think. I can't figure out what it is. Oh that poor boy as she attacked him. Seriously, does she call that kissing? Jason did not look like he was enjoying it at all.

Naomi. I always forget about her. She is quiet. She seems very nice and level-headed. She is beautiful. I like her.

Lauren's one on one talk was awful!! For someone who wanted to be pursued, she sure was aggressive...and annoying! Jason never looked comfortable around her and she seems very immature. very!

Megan again, no kiss. ouch!

Shannon was disgusting. I'm sorry. I've grown to like her a lot but first the throw-up and now the nose blowing. GROSS. No wonder he didn't want to kiss her. I'm just glad that she was socially aware enough to figure out he rejected her. I think she has a lot more substance than what was aired though and I did like her. Just not for him.

Melissa, awe Melissa, my favorite! She got the great big, pulled onto his lap, reassuring hug! And KISS. You can tell from his body language, his face, his hugging, he really likes her. I think she is so well-grounded and mature and honest. I am very impressed with her and think they are adorable together!

Two on One Date: I kind of thought he might send them both home too. Nikki is so so so uptight and so so so insecure. She's beautiful but insecure. Despite my compassion for her in the first 10 minutes, I did not enjoy watching her the rest of the time.

I thought her comment about Stephanie was pretty mean too. She said that Stephanie already had her turn (at marriage and being a mom). It sounded so mean the way she said it. I also thought it was a cheap shot how she answered Jason's question about moving to Seattle. She said she could move easily since she has no one else to think about but herself (wink wink) as if Sophia is a burden. She played Stephanie's little girl against her whether she meant to or not and I thought that was horrible!

Stephanie was classy and sweet as usual but again, don't see them together. I don't think HE is a good fit for her. That's my opinion.

Rose Ceremony: Lauren is insane. Goodbye Megan! Shannon left well and was pretty rational until the french-kiss her dog comment. Yikes!

Bottom Line:
~could there BE anymore kissing!? Enough already!
~obviously great chemistry with Melissa.
~I'm glad the 3 that left are gone.
~I'm sorry, I think the guy is gorgeous, but he walks like a dork when he's dressed up in a tie. It's strange.

Top pick for the week: Still Melissa!! If he doesn't pick her then I really hope she is the next Bachelorette!

Not Me Monday

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

But before you head over there, let me tell you some of the things that I did not do. I absolutely did not spend 5 minutes trying to pry open our frozen doorwall in order to take a picture of this poor bird who flew into the doorwall, hopped around while disoriented, and then froze-to-death. I didn't see it happen but did see the feathers stuck to the glass and the tracks in the snow.



I did not feel the need to capture this tragedy as we get a lot of dead critters around here that are much more exciting than a bird frozen in mid-step. Also, knowing that it's cold enough to freeze a bird just outside my doorwall, I would NOT have opened the door and let all that blasted cold into the house. Not Me!

And why in the world would I have such a picture? I don't know! Certainly it is not because I have an obsession with all of the above mentioned dead critters around here. I don't have time to think about dead mice, raccoons, rabbits, coyotes, deer, birds, or any other thing that might decide to croak on my doorstep.



I did not go to Bible Study this week knowing that I didn't feel well and could possibly be contagious. I am not that careless and no matter how fantastic the Beth Moore study of Esther is, I knew I needed to rest and protect others from getting sick.

And after going through a couple of days of the said Beth Moore study, I was not at all convicted by her commentary on beauty treatments. I especially was not convicted about watching The Bachelor. Though I saw many parallels between The Bachelor and the second chapter of Esther, it didn't affect me at all. Not Me! Afterall, Jason is looking for a wonderful wife and mother and not a 14ish year old virgin who will be a trophy queen. To him, it has nothing to do with beauty treatments at all...right?



I also did not wake up on Saturday, well after my husband left for a seminar he was giving at our church, to find my wonderful children who had been playing so well together asking me for LUNCH. Of course I did not sleep until 11:30! No Way! But if I had, then I bet that the sickness that I didn't have on Tuesday would have for sure been gone after a good 4 days and 12 hours of rest!

Valentine's Day

I know it's still a ways off but I have to tell you how much I love love love love love Valentine's Day!! LOVE it! It is my second favorite holiday after Christmas and I love that while I'm still Christmas shopping, I see Valentine's stuff popping up in the store. It really makes me smile.

I love almost all things pink, red, and white (especially pink!) and HEARTS and BOWS and of course CANDY! Love it!

If you've been following me for awhile then you know that Valentine's Day in our home is celebrated a little bit differently than most people. We celebrate as a family, usually dressed up together, with a nice candle-lit dinner, and gifts for everyone. It's a special time to show our love for each family member and the kids love it too.

This year, Management has to be in Texas for that weekend and though his hosts were gracious enough to invite me along as well, I had to pass. I know I'm crazy to not take advantage of an all expense paid trip to Texas for the whole weekend including Valentine's Day with the love of my life and no kids, but logistically it was just too hard to get away and make plans for the kids.

So we will be having our special dinner a few days early and I already have the perfect gift in mind for Management. I can't wait!

Typing this all out has made me curious. What is your favorite holiday/2nd holiday?

Favorite Foto Friday

If you haven't already, you need to click on over to the creator of Favorite Foto Friday, and take in all of the precious little ones from Guatemala that Sarah has shared with us. They are gorgeous and words can not describe their sweetness.

This week's theme is NEW.

Unfortunately, I'm still trying to figure out how to use my NEW camera! My pictures are still dark and grainy and need great improvement. Maybe it's time to actually read the manual. In the meantime, I'm still clicking away as the kids continue to enjoy all of their NEW things from Christmas.



Now go and visit Sarah's site to see some bright and wonderful fotos of some bright and precious babies! Don't forget to check her post from last Friday's theme EYES too.

What's The Plan? Part 2

I have to admit that in a way it's been pretty easy to wait for God's leading (or to be honest, avoid seeking His answer) with LittleMiss around the house. I don't know if she is God's answer to our prayer as far as nurturing and influencing a child, or if she is His gracious gift that soothes my soul in the meantime, but either way, it's been so nice to have her in our lives. What a joy she is to us!!

Sweet baby fell asleep in my lap as I was typing that.



I've thought a lot more about it though and I know that staying in limbo, as easy and "safe" as it is, is not what God has for me.

Actually let me say it this way, I don't believe His desire for me is to stay where I'm at because of my fear to seek Him and move forward.

I can't choose to stay in limbo.

I don't believe the Lord desires my fear of His answer, my fear of what the future holds, or even my lack of seeking Him, to keep me where I am.

Despite His answer, He desires me to move ahead.

Perhaps, despite moving ahead, He desires me to simply seek.

We looked at Jeremiah 29:11 yesterday at Bible Study and though I've read it and heard it and even encouraged others with it a number of times, God is so good and can speak even in the midst of our most familiar moments.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity.".

This is what I know:
~He knows the plans He has for me.
~I need to call upon Him and come and pray to Him.
~He listens to me.
~When I seek Him, I will find Him.

And that is what I learned from this passage yesterday...I will find HIM.

I may not find HIS PLAN right away, I may not find THE ANSWER just yet, I may not even FIND A DIRECTION to follow, but I will FIND HIM! The passage doesn't promise an answer (even though He knows the plans) but it promises something so much better, it promises Himself!

Finding HIM is a great reason to get out of limbo. Whether my outside life changes or not, I will definitely emerge from limbo spiritually and emotionally. Though my fears want me to stay, He wants me to seek Him.

And in seeking Him and finding Him, whether a promise is found or not, I will be out of captivity. I not only find Him, I find freedom too. I find freedom from my fears and I find the peace of being with Him wherever He may lead.

As much as I want a promise or to know His plan, for now He is simply calling me to Be Still, To Wait, To Know He is Working, To Seek Him, To Come Out of Captivity...and He will be there.

What greater reward can there be?

Bachelor Babble 2

I desperately wanted to post this last night, and do hope to post them on Monday night's from now on, but have been either sick in bed, sick on the couch, or banned from the office by my husband who actually does get paid to use this computer. sigh.

Despite being deathly ill (not really), I actually enjoyed last night's episode.

Date 1: I loved that they brought Sophia to the beach to be with Stephanie. That was so cute and I think it helped Stephanie open up a little and be herself. I thought it was tremendously sweet when Stephanie kissed Jason's arm while he lit the candles. I know some of you might disagree but I thought it was sweet and heartfelt. I still don't see them together though. I think she is very much a nurturer and kind of relates to him as a child in a way (ex: "aren't you sweet?") We'll see.

Date 2: The group date was very cool! They did a great job painting and seemed to get into it pretty well. I didn't really like Megan's comment about missing people praising her and thanking her and so on. I know what she meant, she missed helping people and making a difference in lives, but it came out wrong I think and made her sound like she needed to be worshipped or people needed to thank God that she was in their lives. weird. Jillian is fun and I'm glad that she got the rose. I still love Melissa. I kind of felt a tad bad for Shannon actually.

Date 3: If someone was going to take me on a date like that, they would have to load me up with Xanax an hour before flight. Both flights. Wow! But really, how exciting! I did not care for that girl and am SO glad he let her go. Definitely should not have picked up the rose but whatever. I laughed out loud at her answer to his probing question...I like Bears. Seriously!?

Party: Poor Lauren! He should have stood up for her at the rose ceremony! I felt bad for Shannon. Really, she is a little nuts but I'm starting to like her. Oh my word, did anyone else notice the a.w.k.w.a.r.d. kiss with Nikki!? Poor Nikki, it was bad. I rewound it twice because I felt so bad for her. Definitely missed the mark on that one. She should have used her back-up to the back-up plan. yikes. His kiss with Naomi was nice and I like her a lot too.

Bottom Line:
~he still kisses too much!
~Nikki needs to loosen up.
~Megan needs to go. (sorry S)

Top Pick For The Week: Still Melissa

Rock N Roll

HomeAudio...


True to his blog name...


Is making some noise!


Actually, after his first lesson with Joe today, he's finally making MUSIC.

Favorite Foto Friday

Finally a Snow Day...and on a FRIDAY! What could be better!? Oh wait, how about the fact that we don't have school on MONDAY either! Now that is a whole lot better! A four day weekend, woohoo!

However, having 4 kids home today is going to make this Favorite Foto Friday a short one. The theme is EYES and here is a picture of sweet little WeeklyAd on our trip to the ER. My poor kids could never lie about whether they are sick or not because their eyes always give them away.












My happy, healthy girl with beautiful brown eyes ~

The Little Things

First of all, thank you so much for all of your kind words and prayers! They mean so much to me. Truly! I don't know what the Lord has planned for me but I am so thankful that He has all of you in my life, at this time, encouraging me and praying me through it.

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We have been busy practicing for The Spelling Bee. I just about had a panic attack reading through the instructions and directions that the school sent out and so quickly decided that this is an event that Management must be in charge of. I just can't handle the pressure (along with the fact that they don't allow pre-school children into the room) and Management loves to be involved in these kinds of things so more power to him! I'll help HomeAudio practice his words and be his little prayer warrior and then daddy can escort him to the front line of duty.

And of course I can't mention HomeAudio without showing you some of his latest projects.

Finally painting some pottery~





Erupting a volcano that he made at school ~





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Are you an American Idol fan? Then check out Idol Notes and be sure to leave your comments (thumbs up or thumbs down). Also, remember to check back here next Tuesday for some more Bachelor Babble.

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WeeklyAd is feeling better (thanks for praying) and was finally able to return to school. LittleMiss was very sad to lose her playmate but still found some fun with her imaginary playmates. She sure loves her babies!



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Oh my word, I'm freezing! Seriously, if we can't get a Snow Day then can we please get a day off due to the freezing, negative below zero temeratures!?!? The kids don't have school Monday and a 4 day weekend sounds wonderful to me! But after watching the news for over an hour and seeing those poor people climbing out of an airplane into the 30 degree (or so) Hudson River, I have a lot to be thankful for (including the fact that they all seem to be alive). Amazing!

What's the Plan?

Adoption ~

Well first I'll give a brief history since there may be some new readers...

We have two children and are unable (due to HELLPS occurring in both pregnancies) to have any more biological children. After a long and grueling couple of years, my husband and I decided to try to adopt a baby last July. After seeing the Lord close 3 doors (and some other obstacles such as job, finances, indecision) we decided to stop actively pursuing adoption and to BE STILL and WAIT.

And we are still waiting (and still indecisive).

In the last several months there have definitely been some things that the Lord keeps bringing to my attention. The first one, that I already mentioned, is to Be Still and Know That He is God. For months, as I prayed about my job situation and adoption and finances and just about every other thing that my little worry-warted heart could think of, He would whisper "Be still." I do not feel like we have had the "go ahead" to actively pursue anything at this point.

The second thing, which I was reminded of again today with our first Beth Moore study in Esther, is That God is Working Even When We Don't See Him or His Work Immediately (or His name in print). I read the book The Strength of Mercy a few months ago and was blown away by the way that God worked out an adoption situation over the course of many years and through many different people. He promised a mother that she would adopt a child and then "left her to be" for several years. BUT, though she didn't know how or couldn't see it then, He was working to fulfill that promise. I could not adequately explain the story to you so I really just recommend that you get the book somehow and read it. It is fascinating and once again shows what a wonderful, mysterious, faithful God we serve.

Along that same line, I was struck by the similar scenario in the Christmas story. As Management prepared the Christmas Eve sermon and we shared dialogue about different ways to approach the passage, I was reminded of the many promises given to Mary and Joseph and Zechariah and Simeon...and they all waited (and trusted) as God worked in ways they couldn't necessarily see. God was active and present and working in each of their lives, at different times, to fulfill His promise.

Then there is the passage that I chose for this year. It's already been a blessing to me and has come to mind many many times. Psalm 77:17-19 "Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen. You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron."

And finally, today, as we discussed Esther and the lack of references to God's name, I was reminded once again that God is at work (though not mentioned) and definitely had a plan. He has a purpose for us too and though we may not know what it is yet, He is working.

So where does all of this leave us and our hopes for adoption?

I STILL have no idea! I can see how the 2 things might go together if we were told to Be Still and Wait as we are waiting for Him to fulfill a promise or understanding that He was working in the lives of others to prepare a child for us. Perhaps He still has a plan for us to bring home Baby Girl and though we can't see it, it will be fulfilled. Perhaps He has a child for us that has yet to be born or is not available yet. Perhaps He doesn't have a child for us at all and He is working in other ways right now and will reveal it all and we will understand why He said no. I really, honestly don't know. I may never know.

But there are some things that I do know:

*I know that God has never promised me another child. I would love to add another child to our home but at this point it's a desire and not a promise from Him.

*I know that I'm afraid to pray about it. Honestly, I haven't sat long enough with Him to hear a promise because I'm so afraid that He will say the opposite...He will say NO or MOVE ON. I keep asking Him to forgive me for not meeting with Him and not praying and seeking and dealing with this subject but I'm just so darn afraid of what He'll say that after asking forgiveness, I move on. I still don't meet and pray and seek or deal with it because as badly as I want to hear Him make that promise, I'm equally afraid that He never will.

*I know that He wants me to BE STILL and to SEEK HIM.

*I know that whatever He has planned for us, adoption or not, He is already at work on what He has purposed for us. Behind the scenes, in the lives of others, perhaps where His footsteps are not seen, He is working somewhere, on something.

*I know I need to spend more time in His word, listening to His voice. We need unity in our calling and at this point I honestly have no idea what that calling might be.

I feel like this is scattered and probably doesn't make sense to most of you, if any of you, but it's nice to get it out and I had to confess some of this and I would love to hear your thoughts. I know the Lord speaks through His people and I value your words and thoughts.

Thanks friends!

Bachelor Babble

Ok, seriously, I had a whole post written out in my head about adoption and prayer and what has been going on for the last several months....

BUT...

I've decided that perhaps Tuesdays should be dedicated to some Bachelor Babble. And technically since it is still Monday (as I'm writing this) then I will NOT admit that I just spent 2 hours watching this crazy, distorted, addicting, emotional, whatever else you want to call it, show!

But if I had, this is what I would say ~ (SPOILER ALERT!)

Nikki ~ she needs to stop worrying about the other girls and their motives and just have fun and get to know Jason. She is going to spoil their conversations together if every one of them is about the other girls. I think Jason just wants to get to know her, not all of her opinions (yet). But the girl is beautiful and has great make-up.

Stephanie ~ she seems to be an old, wise, classy soul. She seems a lot older than what she is and I don't know that I see them together. I think she would fit better with a 40ish, Christian, daddy Warbucks kind of guy. Perhaps.

Melissa ~ so far, my favorite. I think she is really cute and honest and seems to be pretty level-headed. We shall see.

Shannon ~ stalker!?

Jillian ~ she's cute, nice, fun...maybe a match.

Naomi ~ very pretty, a bit too aggressive in my opinion...maybe a match.

Molly ~ yea, I thought it was very rude and classless to steal Jason away when she already had the rose. He shouldn't have gone with her. I was mad at him for that. I was also mad at him for not leaving the blonde (Natalie?) for Stephanie earlier.

Megan ~ I don't know about her. Just don't know. I like her then I don't then I do then I don't then I do...

Erica ~ was she drunk? she seems drunk all the time.

Natalie ~ I'm anxious to see more of her on their date next week. I'm not sure about her either.

Lauren ~ I don't want to hold her shyness against her but I don't see them together. Was she the one that went on and on about her hair after Jillian left on the date? That was weird. I might like her once I know more about her. maybe.

Bottom Line:
He is not shy about kissing and I don't like it.
I have to watch next week to get to know some girls better.
I am (not) totally sucked in already.
I still really like Jason (what I know of him, I'm no Shannon).

My top pick for this week is Melissa.

What's your Bachelor Babble?

Not Me Monday

Welcome friends to my Not Me! Monday. It's been a strange week full of highs and lows and lots of things that I would never ever think of doing. For example, I did not have a huge list of things to do on Tuesday and then totally abandon it all to go and get coffee with my mom...for nearly 3 hours. Not Me!

I did not get frustrated with a personal trainer who stood me up at the gym on Monday night. Whatever, I'm usually up there every night anyway to work out so it certainly wasn't an inconvenience at all. Not even being dead tired still from an all-nighter over the weekend or having my kids there late on a school night could ruffle my feathers in that situation. No Way!

I also most certainly did not tell my sweet husband to go back to bed on the day that he usually takes the kids to school as I had a meeting at school that morning. I did not get up early, take extra time getting ready, drive to school, and find out that the meeting was on Friday and not Wednesday! Oh no Not Me! I would never be that unorganized, especially on my husband's day to take the kids, I would have double checked that for sure!

I did not laugh at my adorable, sweet baby girl who was suffering from a UTI, when she walked up the sidewalk and into the house with legs spread wide like she was riding a horse (because she wet her pants). That would be so mean and she was so miserable. I also did not, after hours of wetting her pants and 2 loads of laundry later, ask her if she wanted to wear one of LittleMiss's Dora Pull-Ups. She's way to old to be stuffed into a pull-up. Poor WeeklyAd truly was miserable with severe back pain and loss of bladder control. Thankfully she is a little better now and is gaining more control. No more pull-ups, er, I mean, if she had ever worn one in the first place.

Also, I did not finally lose my temper after the 5th AT&T telemarketer called our home in one week. I didn't lose my temper at all, I just politely explained that we already have AT&T and would they, once again, please, please, please, remove us from their darn list. Honestly, we have lived in our home for almost 3 years and have had maybe 6 telemarketer calls ever...5 of them from a company that we are already with. Who would get frustrated about that!? Not Me!

Hope you have a great Monday today! It's so beautiful here this morning!

Best Buddies

I love these two characters!

New Year Medical Goals

I don't really have any New Year's Resolutions but I do have a list of medical "concerns" that need to be addressed for each of us. They aren't anything critical but now that the holidays are over it's time to make some appointments.

Here's the List:

WeeklyAd~
Eye Dr. (routine exam but I also believe she may have a lazy eye)
Dermatologist (mysterious spot on her cheek)

HomeAudio~
Eye Dr. (routine exam)
Orthodontist (initial consultation)
Dentist (one cavity to fill)

Management~
Buy Glasses (poor guy was prescribed glasses months and months ago)

Targetshopper~
Dermatologist (mysterious spot on knee; bump on right shin)
Dentist (routine cleaning)

Having it written out here, it doesn't seem so bad. I can consolodate some visits and hopefully get these done in January.

Has anyone else ever had a bump (pea size cyst like under the skin) on their leg? I'm so weird!!

Favorite Foto Friday

I am so happy that it's Friday and the first week back to school is over and done with and was an overall success. I'm even happier that it's Friday and we are expecting a Winter Storm! Woohoo! We don't have any major plans and I would love to be snowed in for the weekend.

Speaking of snow and winter storms, the theme for Favorite Foto Friday is COLD and baby, it sure is cold outside.

Favorite Fotos from the week...

HomeAudio shoveling the snow ~



WeeklyAd's new obsession ~



Oh how I wish that she could go outside for this activity. It gets to be a bit much after the hundreth twirl let me tell ya. But she's getting better and there is less tripping and falling and windows rattling.

Alright, time to go hide that darn jump rope check the status of our hot cocoa and marshmallows for the big storm.

Birthday Bash (3)

Photo from the Birthday Bash

Deep Cleaning

I had some things to accomplish over Christmas Break but family fun took over and I let my ToDo List fall through the cracks. Why on Earth would I clean out closets and cupboards and organize clothes and paint bathrooms and all that other boring stuff when I can be baking cookies and watching movies and snuggling with kids and flying remote control helicopters in my family room?



Now, sadly, it's time to get some things accomplished. Today, LittleMiss and I had some fun cleaning out the Art Cupboard but there were definitely some things that I perceived...

~ We have way too much paper.
~ We waste way too much paper.
~ We have a gazillion crayons.
~ Crayons break too easily.
~ I'm addicted to educational workbooks (the ones from the grocery store).
~ I still hate glitter! Thankfully it's after Christmas so today, it all disappears.
~ I love it when things are cleaned out and organized.
~ WeeklyAd truly loves to draw!
~ My kids have matured a lot since the last time I cleaned out the cupboard.

Next project ~ Clean out and organize the Emergency/HairProducts/Candle/Plastic Silverware/Mom's Crafts Cupboard. In other words, hoping to turn the "Junk Cupboard" into something a little more practical and useful.

Birthday Bash (2)

I've missed you my friends! It's been a long few days and I've really missed my blogging buddies. I feel so behind in reading and commenting and definitely in posting!

The birthday bash was a blast! Six friends met around 5:30 to get dressed up (in black and white while the birthday girl wore red) for a relaxed dinner out. We looked very nice and had I not missed Not Me Monday then you would have learned that I (did not) decide(d) to go out for dinner in a very nice dress with heels and NO tights or nylons or stockings or anything to protect my precious legs from the 18 degree night air. Who knew that we had to park 2 blocks away from the restaurant? But we had a delicious (and warm) dinner at a nice restaurant with live music and great conversation.

After dinner, 3 of us headed home and quickly put on our warm sweats and broke out the desserts while the other 3 headed out for dancing. To our surprise the other 3 were home within about 40 minutes as the clubs were empty. It didn't take much to convince them to change into their sweats and join our party at the house. Then the talking began.....and went...and went...and went....until 5:30 AM! It was certainly a treat for us to have that night to catch up and laugh and laugh and laugh...it was wonderful!

As you can imagine, combining an all nighter with a back to school schedule has been horrible. I've had a headache for 3 days but I did take a nice nap with LittleMiss (who has an awful cold) on Monday (hence missing Not Me Monday - along with the heavy fog my brain can't seem to escape, a late evening trip to the gym, a husband who needed both computers for 2 days straight, an obsession with The Office DVD's that came in the mail, and a very early bedtime...oh yea and a date to paint pottery with my sweet son [which didn't happen since the pottery place is closed this week. ugh. why didn't I check that out first?]) Yep, I'm a little behind in blogging!

But it's all been so worth it as it really was a great weekend! Did I mention the Starbucks (2), eclair desserts, foot spa, time to spend with little RanMan, 4 hours alone in the car to think and pray and listen to a book on CD, delicious breakfast, and all together SPECIAL time with friends!?!? Thanks again G!!

Birthday Bash

See this crazy girl here with Management?

It's not his sister~ though they look alike and act alike.

It's not his wife~ though everyone thinks she is, especially when we are out and about, and really especially when her husband (who is white) is with us. They assume she and Management go together and her husband and I go together.



But no, this crazy girl is my BFF whom I have known for 22 YEARS!

It was her birthday last week and I am headed to her home (out of town) for a HUGE girls night extravaganza. There will be dinner, games, chick flicks, food, gabbing, gabbing, and more gabbing! Her loving husband and sweet baby boy are leaving for the night and allowing a group of "middle aged" girls to stay up all night and celebrate this wonderful, crazy girl!

Happy Birthday G!

Favorite Foto Friday

Today's Favorite Foto Friday is the hardest challenge of all. To find JUST ONE favorite foto from all of 2008 is almost impossible!!

I've decided to share a collage of photos of JUST ONE thing that I am most thankful for this year...

FRIENDS!

We are rich in friendships and cherish each and every ONE of you!

HAPPY NEW YEAR and thank you for being such a wonderful part of our 2008!

Happy New Year

Several weeks ago we had a speaker in MOPS who shared something from her life that I immediately knew I wanted to add to my own. She shared that every January she picks a verse from the Bible that she claims as her own for the year. She memorizes it, hangs it in her home, writes it out on cards that she sends to people, and tries to meditate on it and really learn from it. She said that it was amazing how the verse, at the end of that year, was not only so special to her but also very applicable for the things that she encountered throughout the past year.

So I decided to try it this year. She said NOT to think too hard about which verse to use. Of course every verse in God's Word is God-breathed and can be used by the Holy Spirit. But you know me, I've been thinking about this for weeks. There are just way too many good ones and I still had not settled on one.

Until this morning...

Though there are so many golden nuggets in Psalm (full of worship and praise and crying out), I simply had to settle on one and I kept being drawn to these...

"Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen. You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron."
Psalm 77:19-20

I don't have any idea what 2009 has in store for me but I know that throughout my life the Lord has led and directed and often times carried. Many times He could be seen, others He worked in ways that I could not see or did not understand, but He has always been faithful and always been trustworthy and I know that He never changes.