Wednesday, September 30, 2009

All About Todd

In Honor Of Our Upcoming Anniversary

Everything you might want to know about my hubby

1. Where did you meet? The very first time we met was at kids' camp when we were like 9. Fast forward to a lot of years later to high school~my junior year~we met again at church.

2. How long did you date? My memory is sketchy here. I think we dated a year. Almost. Not quite. Something like that.

3. How long have you been married? 13 years~almost!

4. What does he say that surprises you? Not much. I can read him like a book.

5. What is your favorite feature of his? His hands, his voice.

6. What is your favorite quality of his? The ability to fix anything and everything. He is literally the smartest person I know. His brain amazes me~how he can work numbers in his head and how he's so fast at doing it. I also really love his voice. Did I mention that?!

7. Does he have a nickname for you? Jenny, Jen~I'm only Jennifer when he's trying to get my attention or when he's mad at me. :(

8. What is his favorite color? Green.

9. What is his favorite food? Meat and potatoes~he's not that into vegetables, although he will eat them if I cook them. He just prefers the meat and potatoes. He also really likes my mom's cooking~her dumplins, to be specific. He loved the homemade alfredo pizza I made the other night. He's actually very easy to please in the category of food.

10. What is his favorite sport? Football, hands down. Wait for it. Wait for it. SEC College football, to be exact. Are you impressed, Todd??

11. When and where did you first kiss? In a movie theatre on our very first date. We'd gone to see The Little Rascals and his line was, "Would you think of me too forward if I asked you for a kiss?"

12. What is your favorite thing to do as a couple? Drive around at night with the windows down listening to music and looking at houses. We used to do that all the time before we got married and then before we had kids. Now we're lucky if we're able to drive around and actually carry on a conversation while in the same car!

13. Do you have any children? No, all the little people that live with us are just horizontally challenged strays that we've taken in.

14. Does he have a hidden talent? Lots. He can sing and he can play instruments. His real talent has to do with computers~he is definitely a computer geek and can fix almost any problem.

15. How old is he? 32

16. Who said "I love you" first? Me~if writing it down counts. If it doesn't, he verbalized it first. We were high school sweethearts, what can I say?

17. What is his favorite type of music? Country~the older stuff. George Strait, Johnny Cash, Allen Jackson.

18. What do you most admire about him? His work ethic~he is not afraid of hard work. He is very willing to help anyone in need, whether it be a family member, an elderly person from church, someone who's been in a wreck or broken down on the side of the road, he is always willing to stop and help. I love that he is not lazy.

19. Do you think he will read this? Yup. Eventually.

20. Where did you go on your first date? Dinner and a movie. I know, I know, original, huh?? Like I said earlier~we were 17.

We will be married for 13 years on this Sunday, October 4th. It's been a great 13 years.

I love you, Todd.

Friday, September 25, 2009

Flashback Friday


I've seen other people do this on their blogs, and thought I'd copy the idea. Feel free to take this idea and run with it on yours.

Jonah is forever "rescuing" sad little creatures that he is convinced need a home indoors. His Mimi contributed to this by giving him a nice, clean jar complete with holes punched in the top.

Anyway. A couple weeks ago he brought in a tiny caterpillar. It turned into a moth. Well, it was going to, then it died.

This afternoon he brought in a big, fuzzy, HUNGRY caterpillar and the thing is trying to get out of its container, I swear. I wonder if they can squeeze through the holes on top? I hope not. I will probably scream like a little girl if that happens, by the way. The thing has not stopped moving all night.

So all this was to say that it reminded me of a spring day three or four years ago. Todd and I were outside raking leaves and had been all day. The boys were right out there alongside us the whole time, doing their own thing and occasionally pitching in.

Graham got the bright idea to start digging up worms. He found an old semi~truck toy under the swing and said that the inside of that could be their new home. I tried to tell him that they were going to die in there with no air, but he was convinced he was going to rescue these little innocent worms from the big, mean birds. So in the worms went, along with grass clippings and dirt.

We finished doing the yardwork and basically forgot about the whole thing. The next day after church, we went back out to finish the leaves off, and Graham goes out to check on his worms. And burst into tears. Hysterically sobbing, "My worms! They're all dead!!" The poor kid~he was truly distraught over his precious little "friends". It broke my heart, but I'd warned him that they probably wouldn't make it. Graham being Graham and all~he didn't believe me. He had to figure it out on his own, the hard way.

It was really sad. And funny. And something I'd forgotten about until tonight, when I saw Jonah admiring his caterpillar in the jar.

I love boys~this is why. Although I hate bugs, I love that they love them. They're forever bringing in their little treasures to me so I can admire them.

Just tonight, we went to Rita's ice cream in the Ville, and when we went outside, they entertained themselves for at least 5 minutes with rolly~polys. {I don't know how to spell that, by the way~Mrs. Spellcheck did not like my way.}

My husband wants to move to the country. I told him a week ago if he could work it all out, that I would follow. I have to admit~my boys need some land to dig on. They need their own wide open space. They need to be able to see and admire the stars at night without houses in the way.

Doesn't that sound heavenly?

It does to me~but lots of things would need to happen before any of this would take place. Like school, for instance. And figuring out where they would go, or if I would teach them at home. And the small issue of selling our house, and finding, buying, and moving into another one.

That almost brings on a panic attack.


We're just talkin'. And dreamin'.

And wishing our entire family would transplant to another city and state. I'm thinking Texas, or maybe Wyoming would be nice. Or even Colorado. I'd take Colorado.

Wanna join me??

If you have kids~boys, in particular~enjoy them. I can't believe that happened 4 years ago. Graham would've only been 6, Drew 5 and Jonah and Noah 2. How time flies.

I can't believe that mine have all grown up so much~and that I've already witnessed a lot of their "lasts".

That'll be another post.

Until then~enjoy your kids this weekend. I know I will enjoy mine. Love to all.

Thursday, September 24, 2009

pRoCrAsTiNaTe No MoRe


Ummmm, remember that list from Monday? That overly optimistic, stars~in~my~eyes list that I made of all the glorious things I was going to do? Yeah, I do too. Then reality struck. I didn't do them.

I've been blessedly lazy all week. I've taken naps, watched Disney with the kiddos, played with the bloggy blog, I've basically done lots of things~other than all the things I said I would do.

I guess the bug bit me today, and I finally got productive. I pulled sheets, comforters and shams off all the beds and washed them in hot water, I've Lysoled the entire house, I've cleaned closets, rooms, floors~all of this was upstairs. I stopped with our room~I'm going to finish it tonight and start on the downstairs tomorrow.

Ah. The smell of Lysol.

The reason for the June Cleaver picture is to tell you how much I am NOT her. I did too much today and we're ordering pizza for dinner tonight. Hey. I can't do it all. And I don't feel guilty.

Well, not quite. We're patiently {not really} waiting on Todd to come home~so I can let him answer all the questions for a while.

I watched Noah take a 3 hour nap today. I might have joined him for a half hour or so. Might have.

I'm still about to pull my hair out. I am really not used to staying home anymore, and this idleness is about to get to me. I don't see the light at the end of the tunnel, either.

I will manage. Somehow. Tomorrow, my cabinets might get cleaned out. Might. My bathroom cabinet got cleaned out this morning.

I found some long lost items that I had given up on. I won't say anymore about THAT.

I'm thinking about changing the blog up a little again, but I can't find a background that I like as much as this one. I want something more fall~ish.

Speaking of fall~I'm pulling the pumpkins out tonight!!! I am going to get all my fall decorations out when Todd comes home. Well, after dinner. I decided to wait and let him help me, because that is his most favorite thing to do in all of the world.

Hear the sarcasm?

I think the bug is getting to my head. I must go now, before I bore you to tears.

I would not want that.

I would never want you to be as bored as I've been.

Never. Not in a million years.

Well. Bye for now.


Wednesday, September 23, 2009

This is all I've done for the last 2 days now...


watched the Disney channel. Which could be worse, I might add. Although I'm wondering if I should admit that I like to watch Hannah Montana. And nobody else does. So I watch it by myself. Yup.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

BoReD oUt Of My MiNd

Wow. Two days in a row at home, and I'm losing it. I always think I'd love to go back to not working~but then this happens and I think, "Nah". I like my job.

Graham is worse than he was yesterday~his fever was way up this morning, and he's had a rough day. The doctor called him in some medicine to stop his cough and to make him sleep. He's been exhausted all day, but is the kind of kid that canNOT sleep during the day. Sounds like his daddy.

Me on the other hand? Not a problem. I can take 2 naps in the day and still sleep all night. Not that I did that today. NO WAY, JOSE. Not moi.

I did finally manage to do something productive~I vacuumed. Someone could have knit me a sweater from all Andy's hair. Did you ever see that lady on the Today show that had a sweater made out of her cats' hair?? Gross. I was kidding about all the hair~it really wasn't THAT bad. Kind of. Sort of.

I don't know what's wrong with me~weird mood, strange sarcasm, hmmmmm. Cabin fever? Maybe. I already called in for tomorrow. Today I actually talked to the boss lady instead of emailing her. I almost cried, she was so nice about me not being there. As much as I am getting cabin fever, I don't want to leave Graham. Pitiful little thing. He hasn't gotten off the couch hardly at all today.

So. What have YOU been doing?? Besides going crazy wishing it was already the weekend? Joking about that~I hope you're not. I can't believe tomorrow is already Wednesday.

I went to Bible study last night and already finished one night's homework. It is going to be so good~it's based on John 10:27~"My sheep listen to My voice; I know them and they follow Me."

Mmmmm. Good stuff. It's called Discerning the Voice of God. It's definitely going to deliver exactly what I'm wanting right now. I may post some about it tomorrow. Right now, my Drew is wanting to get on the computer, so I'd better get off. Love to all!

Monday, September 21, 2009

Things I Get To Do Today

stay home with my oldest son, Graham,
enjoying the one on one time

clean my house~more than the average hour and a half clean, I mean~there's a big
difference

watch disney channel all day and maybe a movie or two

take Graham to the doctor and maybe

a treat afterwards

blog

play on the computer

let Graham play on the other computer~thank you honey, for leaving your
laptop home today

be envious over the fact that my sista Debi got to meet my all time favorite
worship leader, Travis Cottrell

be excited about going to the Beth Moore event coming in October

be excited about my new Bible study tonight

paint my nails

catch up on laundry~and~wait for it~
PUT IT ALL UP!
GASP!

fix my Graham whatever he wants for lunch~and if it's a milkshake, who cares?
He is sick, after all.

catch up on my devotions and Bible reading

maybe sneak in a little snooze

enjoy my time at home today, because it'll probably be back to the real world
tomorrow.


Sunday, September 20, 2009

A Little Lazy Goes A Long Way

We were really bad tonight and didn't go to church. We hardly ever miss, too. I really don't have a reason why we didn't go~it just seemed like we were all unusually tired from this week/weekend. So, here we sit. There is something to be said for just relaxing on the night before school starts back for the week. Todd made the yummiest chocolate chip pancakes ever. I put too many chocolate chips into them, and he got the sweetest ones. Now his tummy hurts. :( They were still yummy, though. Drew was the happiest kid in all of the Ville.

We had a really great church service this morning. We had an evangelist with us and he was really good. We had lunch with my dad and stepmom after church, then came home and just relaxed.

It's been a good weekend~except for all the rain. I could NEVER live someplace like Seattle. I need sunshine, people. Truly, I do. I can only take so much rain and cloudiness.

I am really excited about this week~one, I'm starting a new Bible study tomorrow night. It's called Discerning God's Voice, and it's by Priscilla Shirer. It's at my church with some of the amazing women I have the privilege of knowing. Two, I think I'm going to get a massage this week!! I've only had one~when I was pregnant with Drew ten years ago. I think it's time for another one. This one is actually prescribed by my chiropractor {thank you, JASON!!!}, and paid for by insurance. I am so pumped.

I just know that this week is going to be amazing. I am expecting, believing and anticipating it. Just this morning we were reminded of the verse that says we are to come into His presence with singing, and I will be doing that this week. Praising and singing of His goodness. His name~Jesus~is worthy of all my praise.

I hope your last night of this weekend is spent with those you love the most, and I hope you all have a blessed Monday tomorrow. Love to all.

Saturday, September 19, 2009

...and Jonah went bump.


How can one not love this face? We were at some friends house last night, and while he was riding a bike, Noah got in the way. Rather than run over him, Jonah swerved and crashed. He has these scrapes and some more on his arm and wrist. But what a sweet brother not to take out his twin. Isn't he pitiful? He loves the attention, though. He did tell me he does not want to get his hair cut today~he wants it long enough to cover the bruise on his forehead.

Enjoy your Saturday.

Friday, September 18, 2009

iT's FiNaLlY fRiDaY

Yup. I'm thrilled it's Friday! My hubby worked with the sheriff's department last night, so it was a quiet evening at home with just the boys and myself. It was actually very nice. I made a really simple dinner {and managed to choke it down, because although they love, I don't} and baked chocolate chip cookies for dessert.

We watched the season premier of Survivor together, then studied our spelling words~with 4, this feat takes a while~then they had showers and went to bed. I let them sleep on the floor together as a special treat, because this is their most favorite thing to do.

I was signing in to post this, and I realized that this is my my 503rd post. Wow. Who knew I had so many words locked up inside me? They must have been begging to get out, because 2 years ago in November will be when I started it. Although I didn't really become faithful in writing until several months after that.

We have a fun night scheduled for tonight~if only the weather holds out. We're supposed to be having a family bonfire, hayride and outdoor movie tonight, but it may get moved indoors due to the weather. :( I'm praying the rain stays far away today. If you are reading this, and are planning to go to this, for more info as to where it's going to be held tonight~call the church~843~8600 is the number. The children's pastor said the decision will be made sometime today~I would assume not until after 12:00.

Well, I'm going to help the kiddos get ready for their day. I hope you all have a fantabulous Friday~and if you work outside of the home~I hope it goes quickly! Love to all!

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Blah Thursday

I strongly dislike Thursdays. I always have. It stems back from early childhood. It was always my worst day of school, and the only day that I disliked. It has not changed. Especially when it's dreadfully dreary this morning. It was dark when I woke up, and I didn't wake up that early. It was the lack of sunshine. I am thankful that my kitchen is painted "Poppyseed Yellow" {Farrel Calhoun}~it does a great job of giving me my daily dose of sunshine. Whenever we finally decide to take the plunge~our family room will be the same bright, cheerful color.

It's been a good week~not great, not bad~but I am so ready to relax with my amazing hubby and little guys all weekend. We've got lots of fun things going on~it'll be busy Fri. and Sat. night, but we're all excited. Hopefully we'll have our friend, Mr. Sunshine back.

Do you ever feel like you're in a rut? Wanting to move forward, but unable because of circumstances, situations around you? I'm kind of feeling this~I'm ready to see something big. Huge. Of monstrous proportions. I'm waiting, expecting and believing. For what, I don't exactly know, but I know that when it happens, it's going to knock me to my knees. I'm ready. Anxiously waiting. Hmmm....

Well. I have to run. The rain is going to slow me down a bit this morning, so I need to get off this thing. Love to all!!! Hope your day is amazingly blessed.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Hump Day & Prayer Meetings

I love Wednesdays. One reason is because of the fact that our week is half over. Another reason, and the biggest, is because we go to church on Wednesday nights, and along with that is choir. Oh, how I love to sing. Tonight is no different~we'll be eating dinner there, too. Hopefully with my dad because I haven't seen him in ages.

I was reading my devotion this morning, and today's verse came out of Matthew. Which is a book that I love, by the way~there is all sorts of wisdom in there along with some parables about Jesus. I love reading about His life on earth. Most of the stories I remember from my early Sunday school years can be found in the Gospels.

Anyway, I loved today's verse. It really jumped out at me~probably because I have been wanting to start a prayer group. Particularly with Collierville moms~whether they be home schooling moms, elementary, middle or high school moms~I just feel the need to pray over our students. We have some of the best schools out here, and I am grateful that my children go there. However, there are things they have to deal with daily that wear them down.

Anyway, here is today's verse.

Matthew 18:19, 20 "Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."

I feel like my kids are dealing with some really tough issues in today's time. I know that for a fact, actually, because I am an employer of their school. I really feel urged {led?} to pray in earnest for our kids. Anyone can join me, but I would love to meet with some other Collierville moms to pray over our kids and our schools. Any of you who read this~is this something anyone would be interested in? I'm talking maybe 30 minutes once a week. It's not a lot of time, but what a lot can be accomplished in that focused amount! We can do this at my house, or in private by scheduling a time for us to join together from our separate locations. For where two or three are gathered...

I don't know about you, but I am ready to see God move. In my life, in our schools, in my church. Remember the movie Facing The Giants? Why can't that happen in Collierville? Maybe because we've never asked. And if you haven't seen that movie in a while, watch it this week. I'm ready to see God move like that in MY community.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Prayer

My heart is heavy this morning as I found out that a friend of our family said goodbye to her 3 year old nephew yesterday. Alex was his name, and he fought a very difficult fight until the very end. He had cancer, and I've been praying for him and his family for months. The family are Christians, and they take comfort that little Alex is now resting pain~free in the mighty arms of Jesus.

It's so hard when something like this happens, and we may never know why God allows precious little ones to die~not this side of Heaven, anyway. But I do know that there is a time and a season for everything~Ecclesiastes 3:2 tells us that. It doesn't make the grieving process any easier, though.

Will you pray for this family with me? Their names are Brian and Jennifer~I believe they are the parents of sweet little Alex. I don't know them personally, I just know of their story through my friend, Janet Logan.

Ecclesiastes 3
1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under Heaven: 2 a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, 3 a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, 4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, 5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, 6 a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, 7 a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, 8 a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. 10 I have seen the burden God has laid on men. 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time.


Janet, and family: if you are reading this, my heart and my prayers are with you today and the days that follow.

Monday, September 14, 2009

HaPpY mOnDaY

What? It is. Yup, rain and all. We had an amazing time in Hot Springs~it was the perfect combination of doing fun things and relaxing. And playing Presidents and Losers, of course. For those of you who don't know what that is, it's a fun card game that we learned from our friends, Brad and Marcia.

I finished a book while I was gone~yup, I am officially done with all the Twilight books. I need to return them to my neighbor now. I bought two more books at the Family Christian bookstore while I was there, and finished one of those. I stayed up until midnight thirty last night {this mornin', whatEVAH} reading it. This book was called Coming Attractions, and it is the last book of a whole bunch of series of books that I read as a teenager. It was so good. It was one of those you felt so good about at the end of it. I'm confident my favorite author is going to keep these books coming. Robin Jones Gunn is the author, in case you're interested in reading her stuff.

I love this line~one from the book I just finished~"I am a victim of God's grace." Aren't we all? Isn't that something? We are so undeserving of God's love~yet He let His Son taste death for us all. Hebrews 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

I love the picture that paints. Whether our life has been great, or whether it's been really rough, we are all given grace from God. We are given it continually~because remember, His mercies are new every morning {Lamentations 3:23}. And not just over the "really big sins", either, but over everything. Pray and ask God to reveal to you areas of sin that you need to repent of. You might be really surprised. I just prayed this prayer this morning, and He revealed to me my antagonistic nature. He also revealed that I get too snippy with people.

None of us are sinless. Nobody will ever be as perfect as our Savior, but we can strive to be more like Him. Just taking a little time before we say or do something really dumb, think to yourself, "Would this please my Creator? Would it honor Him? Would it bring Him glory?"

I hope you see that my relationship with my Lord is not the greatest it could be. It improves each day. How does it improve? By studying His word, by spending time with Him in prayer, by giving Him the worship that He is so worthy of. I am continually growing in Him~in love and in knowledge. I am never content with my relationship with Him~this is one thing we should NEVER be content about. We should all be striving to grow more and more in love with Him.

I pray that God blesses you today. I know He has me. Love to all of you on this gloriously rainy, God~given day.

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Another Book Review...Stray Affections

In Stray Affections, the last thing that Cassandra expects out of her Sunday is to be mesmerized at a collectors’ convention by a snowglobe. She’s enjoying some shopping time, with husband Ken at home tending their brood of four young boys, when she’s utterly charmed by the one-of-a kind globe containing figures of three dogs and a little girl with hair the color of her own. She can’t resist taking the unique globe home—even if means wrestling another shopper for it!

The beautiful snowglobe sparks long-dormant memories for Cassie, of her beloved Grandpa Wonky, the stray she rescued as a child, and the painful roots of her combative relationship with her mother, “Bad Betty” Kamrowski. Life in Wanonishaw, Minnesota is never dull, though, and Cassie keeps the recollections at bay, busy balancing her boys, her home daycare operation, and being a good friend to best pal Margret. But after a strange—flurrious, as Cassie deems it—moment happens with the remarkable snowglobe, Cassie and the people she loves are swirled into a tumultuous, yet grace-filled, and life-changing journey.

“As a believer, I know the power of forgiveness and new beginnings, and of a God, and family and friends, who love me the way I am,” Charlene Ann Baumbich says. “The heartbeat of change flows through those wonderful gifts.”

With the quirky, close-knit Midwestern small-town feel that made Charlene Ann Baumbich’s acclaimed Dearest Dorothy novels so popular, Stray Affections invites readers to experience the laughter and the healing of second chances.


Charlene Ann Baumbich is a popular author and speaker and an award-winning journalist. In addition to her Dearest Dorothy series of novels, she has written seven nonfiction books of humor and inspiration. A bungee-jumping, once motorcycle-owning grandma and unabashed dog lover, Charlene lives with her husband and rescued dog Kornflake in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. She loves telling stories, laughing whenever possible, and considers herself a Wild Child of God.

Thursday, September 10, 2009

A Whole Lot Of Nothing

This is where we are. This is a pic from last year, but the view has not changed a bit. This is Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs. As I write this, we're in the clubhouse gameroom letting the boys play games. I'm on Todd's computer, and Phyllis is on their computer.

It's rainy and overcast today~which suits us just fine. We've had a really lazy morning. Papa took them to get donuts first thing~it was 9:00 when they went~and then they came to play games. Todd and Wiley are out looking for flipflops for Todd~since he forgot his for the 2nd year in a row~and it's just us and the boys.

We were going to swim today, but since it's only 73 degrees, we decided we'd better not. Tomorrow we're getting a boat for the day and the boys are going to intertube out on the lake. What I'm really excited about is tonight~Mimi and Papa are taking the kiddos out for CiCi's pizza, and Todd and I are hitting the the town for a date!!! I am super excited~it's been ages since we've been alone.

Tomorrow night we'll be grilling out and going to bed early since I'm sure we'll all be exhausted, and Saturday we're going to the lookout tower over Hot Springs and the mountain that's nearby. That night we're taking dinner to our friends from Memphis that work here in a children's home. We saw them last year when we were here, and they invited us to come back when they found out we were coming back.

It's a great week. Nice, relaxing, and quiet~the perfect prescription for us to refresh before going back to the real world. I could not ask for more. Hope you all have a great weekend and love to all!

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Words Worthy Of Singing

Zephaniah 3:17

The LORD your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with his love, He will rejoice over you with singing.


Words to soak in, words to live by, words to remember~no matter what you may face.

Be blessed by Him today.

Simply Perfect

is what our weekend was. Absolutely perfect. It's one of those that I hope to experience again! As in this weekend, maybe. Well, we will be in Hot Springs, so you never know.

I enjoyed Sunday and yesterday the most~we didn't have church that night due to the holiday weekend, so we joined a bunch of other families at our friends' house. Fun times. It's one of those families that we feel like we just fit right into.

Yesterday was wonderful, and relaxing. We hung around here all morning, and then went to my sister's house for lunch. Y.u.m.m.y. Chicken and dressing. Oh MY. Nevermind that Thanksgiving is a couple months away and we'll be eating our fill of it again, it was delicious. Thank you, Mom, for making that.

We had a great time visiting with the fam~of course my crazy sista Lisa had to enhance it by scaring her husband Jim, Todd and Bill awake. She went in there and started clapping her hands and screaming at the top of her lungs. Poor Lilly {their dog} got thrown across the room because Jim jumped up so fast. We laughed and laughed and laughed. I wish we'd had the thought to record it~that would have made it perfect.

Lisa and I ended the night by going to see a movie. Fun times. Movies are better when they're shared with sisters.

I am sooooo excited about tomorrow~after school gets out we're packing it up and heading out! I have done all the laundry {well, most of it} and the house is in order for us to go. The boys are all beside themselves at the thought of spending the weekend at the lake. And who doesn't love a weekend away from home??

Well. I need to go. And do some stuff. Like maybe consider what we'll be eating for dinner tonight. That would be good. Well, I hope you all enjoy your day. Love to all.

Saturday, September 5, 2009

Whatcha Doin'?

Some Things I Did Today

Read my vampire book
Bought some new OPI polish~"We'll Always Have Paris"~
Wished my hair had some really funky, chunky reddish highlights, although this could be inspired from my loverly friend Christa
Shopped with my Mom
Ate lunch with my mom
Went to Chuch~E~Cheese
Let Noah take pictures of Twinkle Toes
Made my kid get off my facebook account
Let Noah take self portraits of him and afore mentioned cat
Read my facebook status that my kid wrote on afore mentioned account
Wrote "ROLL TIDE" on somebody's wall
Kissed my hubby passionately {because this should be done EVERY day}
Wished we could go on vacay withOUT the kiddos
Decided to be thankful for the chance to go on a mini~vacay WITH the kiddos next weekend
Painted my toes with my new cool OPI polish
Thought about doing the nails, too
Was proud over the fact that when Graham danced at Chuck~E~Cheese that he actually could dance pretty good, thanks to his friend at school
Listened to Rascal Flatts {Todd, don't hate me}
Let my kids have a sleepover in the office again
Cracked up over the fact that now only is Todd screaming at the game, Graham is too
Loved my family fiercely
Thought, "wow, that's a great picture" about our HD tv
Got really excited over the new kitchen fixture
Wished for a new purse
Got complimented on my cool earrings
Forgave my husband for being RUDE when I was asking him something~Debi~we need to pull a Bon Qui Qui on him
Got excited over the new Bible study starting in a couple weeks
Kissed my kids
And maybe the dog
Sang with Graham and smiled at his great voice
Picked out some super cool jeans for my man
Totally checked him out in them
Got embarrassed over this post
Then thought "oh, well, we're married"
Signed off

What did YOU do today?!


SPEED Channel & Cool Cars


This is what the boys were doing at 7:30 this morning. We all woke up at the same time~actually I was awoken by Jonah and Noah playing Speed Stack. We came downstairs, and while I was getting my wake~up juice, Graham had turned the t.v. on to the SPEED channel. Like father, like son.

It was this really neat show on Hot Wheels cars. They were talking about when the were first made and what some of the first cars were. So that led to the above picture. Drew said, "I bet we have one of those! Mom can I dump out all our cars and see???" These are only the downstairs cars~the rest of our collection is upstairs in their closets. They play with these on our car rug downstairs~all of them. Because one NEVER outgrows Hot Wheels.

Anyway. I thought I'd take a picture because they were so excited about finding one of those cars. Which we did not, by the way. We did find several that were made in 1978, and some from the 80's. I can't imagine where they would have come from.

It's gonna be a GREAT Saturday! College football is on all day~yes, the hubby is beside himself with joy~but he is doing me a huge favor!!!! We're hanging light fixtures today! I say "we", but I really mean "them". Them, as in Todd and my brother~in~law, Jim. Todd helped him hang some fixtures in a house of theirs they're trying to sell, and Jim told him he would help when he was ready to hang ours. So. Yay!! One of them is new~we're hanging it in the dining room, moving the one in the dining room to the kitchen, moving the one from the kitchen to the entry hall, and moving the one in the entry hall to above the kitchen sink. I am so excited. I lurve me some new fixtures!!!

I hope you all have a fantabulous weekend with YOUR families. I know I am.

Friday, September 4, 2009

Just In Case You're Needing Help...

I am offering my services. I have been fixing blogs lately {not mine, other people's} and if you need help with yours, let me know. Also feel free to ask me questions you may have~you can comment, email {allboys@gmail.com}, call or find me in person. Just a little f.y.i.

It's FrIdAy!!!! And a long weekend on top of that! And a short week next week on top of THAT! We're going to Hot Springs with the in~loves and we are SO SO SO excited! I have lots to do this weekend~making sure everything is clean so we can hit the road again on Wednesday afternoon, and I need to find a solution for Andy the WonderDog. I don't know what to do with him. Any thoughts? Suggestions? Selfless offers of keeping him at your house?? Hee hee, I don't expect that last one, but I thought I'd throw it out there just in case.

So I was picking up toys the other day {imagine THAT}, and much to my dismay, I found chocolate milk stains over a portion of our wall in the living room. So Graham and I cleaned it up, problem solved. Yesterday I was walking through that same area and noticed the floor was sticky. Guess what it was? Yup. Chocolate milk. TODAY I am cleaning the house and noticed more stains on another wall, this one around the corner.

I know exactly which son did this. But can YOU guess which one? I will give you 4 chances and the first 3 don't count. Anyway, what was he doing??? Skipping through the house with a cup of chocolate milk in his hand? Running? Jumping? Attempting more acrobatic moves? I gave it away there. My precious young man that I am speaking of has become quite the acrobat. He climbs on anything that stands still for more than 2 seconds. And sometimes even on things that DON'T stand still. He has perfected a head stand~which he discovered he could do in the hotel room on the way home from Florida a month ago. He has almost perfected a HAND stand, and with that a front walkover. He has learned to hoist himself up onto the bar on our swing and he now loves to hang upside down. He climbs walls, door frames, FOOTBALL FIELD POSTS~ Jesus help me with this one~swingsets, monkey bars, you name it, he climbs it.

Do you know who it is yet?

Noah. Sweet little Monkey~boy, Noah. My 4th. My baby. The one I'm afraid may end up with a broken bone. I pray not. Isn't he precious???

Love to all. I gotta run.

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Just Thoughts

I really don't have time to be on here, but it's been a couple days and that's a little uncharacteristic of me. I love all my bloggy peeps.

Not much has been going on~well, wait there is one HUGE thing. I feel incredible!!! I started physical therapy at the choirpractor {yup still doin' that} last week, and I feel so limber and free! Even a girl that works there told me that I was walking loosely this week. Hallelurrrrjah!! And yes, the Madea thing never ends.

I am so excited about this upcoming long weekend!!! It's a super short week for us Goodwins~we'll have 2 days in school then it's off to Hot Springs Wednesday afternoon! The boys {and us} are really excited. I cannot wait to get away~and enjoy the beautiful lakeview there. Thank you Mimi and Papa for letting us embard your vacay.

So. That's about it~I made a new friend this week. Her name is Katie and you can find her blog over on my list. I think it's called Our Blessed Life. I grew up with her hubby and brother~in~law. I can't wait to get to know them more~and seeing what God does through all of us young families in Families On The Rock! He is gonna move in us and through us in a mighty way~He's grown our class by leaps and bounds and I can't wait to see what He does next. There have been healings, job findings, you name it, miracles are happening! I love Him more and more each day.

Y'all be blessed today. Love to you all!!!

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Fall? Already?

I am so going to make my sister Debi mad by even mentioning the word "fall", but I can't help it. As I write this at 7:30 a.m., it is 55 degrees outside. The high only got up to 81 yesterday and by last night it had cooled off to the low 70's. Y'all. I love me some fall weather.

Todd and I are NOT beach/summer people. We're more like mountain/fall/winter people. I seriously think we would both be happy living in Maine or Alaska. Cooler weather makes me so excited for fall~Halloween, soups and stews, sweaters, my yummy red coat that I adore, fuzzy warm blankets, fires built by my hubby~I love all these things! Bring it on!!!!

Someone else who loves this weather~Andy the WonderDog! We gave him a bath last night~which is much more pleasurable for us all when we're not being FORCED to do it {because of him being a dog and all~that's all I'm gonna say}. He cracks me up. He hates the water, loves the massage Todd gives him when he shampoos him, but the part he absolutely ADORES~the towel rub at the end. He's like a bull when he sees the towel~he runs full force toward it and stops by shoving his head in between Todd's legs. It's hilarious. Then he gets all frisky and stuff. Too cute. He's such a good dog. Remind me I said this the next time he acts like a normal one.

Unfortunately I don't think this loverly weather is going to last because I just looked at WeatherBug. But it's nice to dream, right?

What are you looking forward to? Do you have any fun traditions that you do with your family every year?

I hope you all have a fantabulous Tuesday!! Love to all!

third Tuesday check-in

  Happy Tuesday, friends! It's time for the third Tuesday check-in, when I'll share a very honest assessment on how life is going in...