Brown-eyed babes

Since I've been posting alot about J I thought I'd better add something about G and H. Here are a couple of recent pictures of them.


 

Like Father Like Son

Remember awhile back I said something about Zach and J making the same face? Well, I finally captured it on film. J's not exactly meaning his, so its not as good as if he were really pouting, but boy these two look like twins to me!

 

Porcupine Hay-er & a Drawl

Last night the kids wanted to look at pictures of themselves when they were little. So, that is what we did. H kept commenting on how cute she was! She loved to see herself in all the cute little dresses! In some pictures she didn't recognize Zach or I, or even grandparents! Have we changed that much in 6 years??? J couldn't get over his porcupine hay-er (hair). Guess he didn't know how much it stuck up, 'like a porcupine'. The first thing he did this morning was get out the photo album and look at more pictures, commenting on his porcupine hay-er and laughing. I don't know where this boy gets such a southern drawl from! He will say he is almost fo-wor (four), that he got his hay-er (hair) cut and other southern lingo. We don't go out much, he isn't in school, so where he picks up the draw-al is beyond me! It is funny to hear him talk and I get such a kick out of it. I wonder how southern G will sound? Here is a picture of J with his porcupine hay-er.

One Proud Wife

Well, Zach has gotten into boxing lately. I have been somewhat supportive, although my heart hasn't been into it, so I'm really not sure how supportive that is! I just don't know how I feel about slugging people like that for a sport! Anyway, that is not why I'm writing. Friday night he took part in a boxing match called Slugfest. They put him in the heavyweights division because they didn't have enough men in there. He weighs about 186-190 but on the program they said he weighed 199. I was SO nervous. I went to watch and support him and I was more nervous than he was! The biggest guy in the heavyweights was 355!!! I was so worried Zach would get stuck fighting him and get knocked out or something. Anyway, he made it through the first round on to the second round. I was SO proud of him! I was up in the stands cheering, "GO ZACH!!! WOOOHHHOOO"! I am NOT normally like that, I was so shocked at myself but I guess I got an adrenaline rush seeing him out there like that!

For the second round it turned out the guy he was supposed to fight forfeited because he was light-headed, so Zach didn't even have to fight that round and he automatically made it to the final round, where if he was the winner he would win $1,000!!! I am glad he didn't fight the guy in the second round. He was this short fatter kid, but he could punch! So, the final, very last round of the whole night and Zach is in it! I was so nervous and so sure he could beat the guy. Turned out he didn't, but that is ok. The $1,000 would have been nice, but I am just so thankful he didn't get hurt. He ended up busting up the guys nose pretty good- there was blood everywhere! I was just so proud of how well he did!

His first boxing match ever and he made it to the final round! He kept getting knocked down (about 5 or 6 times), but he kept getting right back up and finally he just called it quits. One guy I was sitting by commented on how much Zach kept smiling, through it all (everybody comments on how he always smiles). I didn't think he had it in him to do something like that. Do I want him to do it again? NO! But I am proud of him standing his ground, doing something nobody thought he would be able to do. I think people think that because he's a Christian he is a push-over and all. I think this was partly a way for him to prove himself to people, not like he needs to do that. Anyway, just wanted to share that I am a thankful wife, that he is ok and that the Lord has given him strength and that despite how I feel about boxing I am proud of him for doing so well!

My pictures didn't turn out very well, but here is one of them. 

Come out, Come out Wherever You Are

Ok, so I have talked to people lately who tell me they read my blog! No big deal, but I don't know that you are stopping by and reading it! Please feel free to post a comment and let me know you are visiting! You just click on the 'comments' and type away. You can post as anonymous and let me know in your comment who you are if you don't have an account! Just want to know who's all reading! Sometimes I don't post something because I don't think anybody is reading my blog! So, come out from hiding and say hello;)

Rock Painting

Yesterday we went outside and painted some rocks. Granted, I didn't have the right kind of paint, but we still had some fun. Here are the children getting in on the action:












Here is H, intent on painting her rock:
















Even J had some fun concentrating on turning his rock a different color:
















G was much more interested in trying to suck on the paint brushes!













 

Learning about Liberty

This week we talked a bit about The Statue of Liberty and the Liberty Bell. Here are a few pictures I took of the children. J has his classic face, showing off the picture he colored of the Liberty Bell. Doesn't H make quite the Lady Liberty? And I had to get G involved in the
action.



 

Flower Power

This is about the only thing in my yard that is pretty. When we first moved in our yard was lovely. I do not have a green thumb, nor time to putz around outside. I do, however, want to make some areas in my front yard a bit more pretty. Right now the weeds abound! But, I love these flowers! I also have some white ones and some lilac colored ones, though they don't stick out as much as these. I see these in abundance down here! This is one plant that I won't be chopping down as I redo my areas (when time and money allow). I just pray it will all look ok when all is said and done. Of course, anything has to look better than how it looks now!
*Note: You can see the 'weeds' in the pictures with the children painting rocks above. I should have tried to take the pictures elsewhere;)

Smiles Through The Trials

Monday's lately seem to be doomed for our household. I am not sure if it is just trying to get back into our weekly schedule or what. Today I dealt with Mr. Cling, Mr. Tantrum and Ms. Attitude. It was fun. Why does it always seem that when you are reading your Word, sure that you are chewing on some new meat, learning to lean on God that trials hit you in the face. And you fail. And fail. Will I ever learn to truly yield to Him and lean on Him so I CAN get it right? Anyway, here are a few smiles through my trials:

• When J gets sad or pouts he gets this look about him. Well, his daddy can make the same look. Tonight Zach was imitating J perfectly on the look and it had me rolling. I need to snap a pic of them together one of these days just so you can see. There is no doubt who's son J is!

• Tonight at dinner H asked what we are going to do when the Pilgrim's move here. She asked if we were moving when they came! It was SO funny! Where do these kids come up with this stuff?

• J tries so hard to be like daddy. You should see him 'put up his dukes' and start punching the air. It is SO cute! He really looks like he's concentrating hard and ready to fight! What out boys!

• G loves to kiss. He puckers up his little lips and makes a smacking sound with his lips. He kisses mommy, daddy, his animals, the wall. He needs to give daddy numerous kisses before bed at night.

• Speaking of kisses, last week J said to me with the most serious look on his face, "Let's kiss!" He just wanted a kiss, but to say it like that...you gotta love them;)

• G is getting into that stage where he says "Hi" and "Bye" to everybody and everything. It is so cute when they do that!

• Tonight we prayed for some Christian widows in Nigeria. H prayed for one of the ladies, who is blind in one eye, to get a new eye and a new husband, because she wanted one! You just gotta love the prayers of children!

Just a few things to make me smile as I unwind this Manic Monday night!!! Thanks for listening, er, reading!

Your Five Factor Personality Profile

Extroversion: You have medium extroversion.You're not the life of the party, but you do show up for the party.Sometimes you are full of energy and open to new social experiences.But you also need to hibernate and enjoy your "down time." Conscientiousness: You have medium conscientiousness.You're generally good at balancing work and play.When you need to buckle down, you can usually get tasks done.But you've been known to goof off when you know you can get away with it. Agreeableness: You have high agreeableness.You are easy to get along with, and you value harmony highly.Helpful and generous, you are willing to compromise with almost anyone.You give people the benefit of the doubt and don't mind giving someone a second chance. Neuroticism: You have medium neuroticism.You're generally cool and collected, but sometimes you do panic.Little worries or problems can consume you, draining your energy.Your life is pretty smooth, but there's a few emotional bumps you'd like to get rid of. Openness to experience: Your openness to new experiences is low.You're a pretty conservative person, and you favor what's socially acceptable.You think that change for novelty's sake is a very bad idea.While some may see this as boring, many see you as dependable and wise.

The Five Factor Personality Test

The President of the United States in MY Back Yard!!!

Well, not quite my back yard, but pretty much. Here's the scoop:

Today I had a playdate with a lady I've been wanting to get to know for quite awhile. Normally on a Wednesday I do NOT go out at 11 am, but this was special. H has been wanting to play with the little girl for awhile now, and finally it worked out. So, as we're driving to their house I pass a police car and I see one parked on the road. I'm thinking, "Well, that is weird. Wonder what they're looking for?" Then I see these people sitting on the edge of their yard with a sign that read, "Thank you President Bush". Hmmm.....I'm wondering if I'm in a movie now. What is going on? Now keep in mind that I don't watch TV, I don't really know the local news or anything like that. So, as I'm coming to another 4 way stop I look down the road and see police cars (both marked and unmarked) at like every corner. Ok, now I say to myself, "Is the President going to be here?". I figure that must be what it is and I phone my friend who seems to know all the happenings. She asks her hubby, who is a Marine and he says that yes, the President is supposed to be here. Wow! I was shocked! Now I know after the hurricane he came down, but I always seemed to miss when he was coming. And he had gone to Gulfport and Keesler Air Force Base, but not here.

I am so excited by this point that I call my mother in a crazy frenzy. Typical woman! I get to Betty's house, now keep in mind I don't really know her, and I pretty much run in and tell her we have GOT to go to MY house! You see, about 3 blocks behind my house is this tiny airport. You know the kind, where they fly private planes and give flying lessons. Well, I had put two and two together and figured he must be flying in. So, we grab our 6 kids, throw them in the vehicles an drive back to my neighborhood. We sit in somebody's driveway and wait. Luckily the weather is warm!

Finally we see these helicopters fly in. There must have been 5 or 6. About 5 minutes later the motorcycles zoom by, followed by police cars, suburbans, vans, cars, an ambulance, etc. Which one was our President in??? I'm sure not the ambulance! We were pretty excited and waving and snapping pictures! We went back to Betty's house, had lunch and drove back down to see him leave. By this time Zach was home and another friend and her children had joined us. It was fun. Exciting. It was neat to see the Bomb Squad come and check the mailboxes that were on the street, the ditches, yards, houses, etc. The security was amazing. I didn't get to 'see' him, of course, but I think I did pinpoint which vehicle he was in on the way back. And when the sun hits those windows a certain way you can see in there. Many of the people in there behind those tinted windows were waving back. I have to be honest, I think I was more excited than my kids. H was sad that she didn't get to play at Rebekah's house. Oh well, there's always next time. It's not every day that our Commander in Chief lands in our back yard! Just had to share my excitement! And pardon me if I sound like a child. After all, where I am from the only people that visit you are Toivo and Eino, eh.

Flying in

His Motorcade coming in

His Motorcade returning to the airport

These were the only 2 black suburbans that I remember. I think he was in the second one, but of course we can't be sure! 

Good-bye Mr. President! Thanks for visiting!

Blogger Barf

Well, not sure what was going on with my blog, but I sure am glad it is working again! I was getting some forbidden message. Other blogs were working though. Weird.

It is about 80 here! It is lovely, but I am sure the gnats are awful. One disadvantage to the south are those pesky gnats.

We went to a different church yesterday. We've never really found a church home since we moved here. Not like music is everything in a church, but hymns just don't cut it for us. Well, it has been probably 2 years since we heard non-hymn music in church- not since North Carolina. It was nice to hear some praise songs. They had a bit of a southern twang to them or something, but the people were praising! The church had a special speaker, so we didn't get to hear the pastor preach, but we really liked it. We will continue to go and 'test the waters', so to speak. I just want a church home and some fellowship already! The special speaker was Ashley Smith, the 'Unlikely Angel' from the Atlanta hostage situation that took place last year. We bought her book and had it autographed. What a powerful testimony she has! Now I have to admit that I hadn't heard her name before, or if I had I didn't remember it, but I did know the name Brian Nichols.

Tomorrow I will join a Bible study from the church we were attending and where the children go to Awana. It is called Conversation Peace. I realized I have not been in a Bible study for myself since we lived in North Dakota! It will be nice to be a part of a Bible study again and hopefully it will help me with some of my faults!!!!

Speaking of Awana, J's got 12 Bible verses memorized from his Cubbies book! And he can't just tell you the latest one- he has to tell them all! It is so awesome to see my little guy memorizing the Word of God. And H is cruising through her Sparks verse and memorizing many verses too! She usually polishes off about two a week! I am so proud of them!

I am going to try to make these Chocolate Peanut Butter cookies in the near future. They look SO wonderful! You gotta love Allrecipes!

A Funny

Large Family

A large family, with seven children, moved to a new city. They were having a difficult time finding an apartment to live in. Many apartments were large enough, but the landlords objected to the large family. After several days of searching, the father asked the mother to take the four younger children to visit the cemetery, while he took the older three to find an apartment.
After they had looked most of the morning they found a place that was just right. Then the landlord asked the usual question: "How many children do you have?" The father answered with a deep sigh, "Seven...but four are with their dear mother in the cemetery."
He got the apartment.

March Madness

Yesterday was a fun day at Park Day with our homeschool group. Afterwards we picked Zach up from work and ate dinner at McDonald's. As we piled out of our car (we drove our tiny Focus), a black man was sitting in his truck next to us. He asked Zach if we had 2 kids in there (the car) and he answered, "No, 3". The man began to talk to H and J, then told how he is retired from the military. He then takes $5 out of his wallet and gives it to my children! How sweet was that! I just wanted to cry. First of all, down in Mississippi you normally don't see this kind of treatment between whites and blacks. Second of all, to be seen and recognized positively for serving our country is sometimes few and far between these days. I am proud of my husband for serving in the Air Force!

As I ordered our food I looked at the clock. 4:00. I place my order, and a few people are behind me and place theirs. I see cars go through the drive thru. People are waiting for their food. I stand there. H comes to ask me, "Mommy, how many minutes has it been? Where is our food?". These ladies behind me that ordered had 'special' orders (no salted fries, etc). This worker who looked like she had no clue what she was doing was trying to get them their order. Meanwhile all I have on my tray is 2 orders of French fries and 2 drinks. By this time it has been 15 minutes! This is FAST food people! I am watching as the workers put the same food that I ordered into bags and give it to the people in the drive thru! If you know me you know that I normally never speak up about these kinds of things. But, its now 4:20, H has been by about 3 times asking what is going on, other people are asking to see the manager and commenting on how long I'm standing there. I am furious. I speak up. I tell them I've been there for 30 minutes now (which by this point its gotten there). They are so confused about what foods to put on our tray. How hard can it be? I've never worked at McDonald's, but I could have gone back there quicker than that to get my own food! Finally, after I had ranted and raved quite a bit (I was MAD and I could tell my face was RED), I had my food on my tray. Then I got quite a refund back (I think we only ended up paying for Zach's meal). All in all we were in McDonald's for a stinkin' hour! It was unreal. Oh well, I got my food and it is over now. Supposedly we'll be getting coupons in the mail to eat there for free.

Today is our 100th day of school. H has been in kindergarden for 100 days. I have been formally teaching her for 100 days. Hard to believe. She made a hat and some 100 glasses. We sang some songs. We colored 100 days of school pictures. We will probably play outside again this afternoon, but I'd like to celebrate somehow. Maybe I'll take the munchkins out for ice cream! I am proud of H, for all that she has learned in this time. It is amazing to watch them grow right before your eyes! She was in speech therapy last year and I decided not to put her in it this year. I am glad of that decision, for I have seen so much progress just by teaching her to read.

 

 

 

 

God's Creation

What a gorgeous day! My windows are open all throughout the house. I hear the birds chirping and singing. I hear the bugs humming and speaking. The fresh air feels wonderful as it seeps into my home! The sun basks down upon me and my boy as he sleeps in my arms. Once in awhile I feel a light breeze, as I watch the branches dance to its beat. The sky is so blue, with not a cloud in sight. It is glorious! Spring is in the air on the Gulf Coast! Thank you, Lord, for this beautiful day!

Winter Blues

I have the blues lately. I'm not really crabby. Just blah. Irritated. Everything bugs me. I wish it would go away. I feel like I can't even control it. I tell myself I will not get irritated, but I do. I know it is a combination of things going on right now, but it is frustrating me. It's supposed to be that time of the month, so that doesn't help matters.

And down here it is Fat Tuesday. Do you know that I called the dentist about a question and it was closed??? It is like a holiday down here- everything is closed. I find it ridiculous, especially when those same places are open on holidays like Presidents and Veterans days. I just don't get it... I'm so sick of this heathen world...

Blahhhhhhhh

Fulfillment in My Home

While many women choose to work outside of the home, I choose to work in my home. I have a 4 year BSW degree that I have never used outside of my home. Will I use it in the future? Probably not. Do I regret getting my degree? No. If I hadn't gone to college I wouldn't have met my dear husband! While I am still in debt over my college degree, I am totally at peace in my home.

I am so thankful that the Lord has put it upon my heart to stay at home with my children. There are many days when I feel I will go crazy over one more question being asked of me, or one more mess or spill I need to clean up. But then I think about how blessed I am for these children of mine, and that I get to stay at home and care for them! I don't have the slightest inkling or desire to leave my home to work. Are we rich? Heavens, no! Zach is in the military and the pay gets us by, but isn't much. But I realize the value of my children. I couldn't imagine putting them in daycare where somebody else raises them, teaches them, sees their first step and hears their first word. I couldn't imagine being separated from them for 8 hours or more a day!

Ever since I can remember I have wanted to be a mommy. I would play with my dolls and be their mommy as a little girl. I would play with my Barbies and they always had their babies they took care of! I think even my marbles I would play with had babies! If you observe little girls in a daycare or nursery setting they are so interested in the little babies. Do you think that is just coincidence? I don't. I believe God has put the nurturing, mother-heart in all of us females. At the Above Rubies retreat I went to last month, Nancy Campbell mentioned how even lesbians have this nurturing spirit in them, for if you notice the majority of them have dogs that they treat as children, nurturing them as they would a child.

Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to waitress or be a real estate agent or some other job or career, but it is just a fleeting thought. I want to raise my children in the Lord. I want to teach them the things the Lord instructs me to teach them. I don't want them to learn some perverted 'truth' out in the world, but I want them to have a Biblical worldview.

While I often struggle with enjoying my children, or being patient with them, I know that I am exactly where the Lord wants me to be- in my home, raising my children to be a light for Jesus in this lost world. Please note that I do not intend to offend anybody that chooses to work out of their home. I simply want to share how blessed I feel to make my home, children and husband my 'career'. I feel so blessed to stay at home. Today there are so many people who voice their opinions and who look down upon us homemakers, thinking we're weak or unable to work. So, I simply wanted to take a stand for myself. I am not a 'Desperate Housewife', but a fulfilled woman of God! I will leave you with this:

Deuteronomy 11:18-21

Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates, so that your days and the days of your children may be many in the land that the LORD swore to give your forefathers, as many as the days that the heavens are above the earth.

Here you go

After a million pictures being taken, this was the best I could come up with. Of course I can't get it to look exactly like the Jennifer Aniston picture, but oh well. I like it. Tell me what you think! Be honest! After having long hair for at least 2 years I was in major need of a change!

You Think I'm WHAT?????

Fill in the blanks...tell me what you REALLY think!!!

Aspiring Boxers

My champion boxers!

 

Hair Affair

Why is it that the stylist fixes your hair so cute, but you can never get it to look like that? I have no clue how to make my hair do what she did. Neverless, I still like it, its just not styled... But it is refreshing. It is pretty short, not even really touching my shoulders, and layered. It is supposed to look like this, if only I could figure out how to work the brush and hair dryer simultaneously! Ah well, maybe one day I'll get it to look right. In the meantime, it is nice (and weird) to not keep pulling on my hair when I sit or lie down! I'm lovin' it! And I promise to get a picture of myself posted on here soon...

Quads Anyone?

Have you ever seen anything so darn cute, yet so funny? This had me cracking up, yet thinking how adorable those sweet babies are and how blessed is that mama. Thanks, Kirstin.

This Homeschooling Journey

Lately I have really been struggling with my thoughts on homeschooling. While I really like the curriculum I am using (Bob Jones), I guess I am a bit tired of how I don't feel like I have much leeway to teaching. Not like I have to follow it to a tee, but I enjoy it. The Phonics book is broken up into 5 lessons a week. So, this week we're talking about Lakes & Rivers. Last week we talked about the Prairie. So I feel like I need to keep it all in a week, you know? That is the type of person I am (and sometimes I really roll my eyes at myself for it). I mean I don't want to do 3 lessons of something one week, then continue it in the next week and be all thrown off. I'd like it all to flow together. Plus Fridays are book days, where we read a new book, which often pertains to what we've talked about all week. What about those days when I don't want to do school? Like President's Day? Or if we just want to take a day off here or there and go on a field trip or something? So I feel like I have to cram 2 lessons into one day then (being the type of person I am). Sometimes this is ok, because sometimes it seems like we fly through lessons. But other times I don't want to do that! So this is where I am at. As I begin to think about school next year I wonder what to do. I want to be more flexible, but not too flexible because I really need to maintain a schedule. Sometimes I want to throw my own things in there and do this or that. I know there are different ways to homeschool an there are so many curriculum choices. I guess, being that I am new to this journey, I am learning the type of homeschooler I'd like to be. I don't want our home to be just like a public school. I want us to have fun learning. I want to do hands-on things. Learn through counting money or pulling weeds. At the same time I'm not a very adventurous person, so while I think these thoughts I wonder if I would actually do something like this! So, right now I am torn. While H doesn't seem to mind the way we do school, I'm wanting a bit of a change. Nothing drastic, just maybe something different. And once J will start school I don't expect him to sit still for long amounts of time learning like his sister can! Then again, knowing me I'll order Bob Jones again for next year! Who knows! Just some random thoughts I've been having. Any advice would be MUCH appreciated!

AAACCCCKKKKK!!!!

I am getting my hair cut in one hour and have no idea what to do! It has been long for forever, won't grow anymore and I am ready for a bit of a change. What do I do!?!?! Hoping the stylist has a few ideas for me!

The Truth Revealed!

The answer is #4! Yeah to those of you who got it right! When I approached my RA about the porn she just suggested we make paper clothes to cover up the parts. I was like, "I don't THINK so!". And of course all the other girls on my floor thought the posters were pretty cool and thought it quite funny (obviously I did not go to a Christian college).

#1 Wasn't totally true, as I wasn't driving quite that fast on the roads. I did spin out of control a couple of times and landed my butt in the ditch. Luckily for that truck behind me to pull me out! The next day as we drove by my parents commented on somebody going in the ditch. It was years before I told them it was me! I didn't want to lose driving privileges! Obviously both the car and I were OK!

#2 A friend and I really did ditch the conference but all we did was drive around Marquette for awhile. We did get into trouble by the youth leaders and our parents. The youth leaders were really concerned on where we were! We were always the ones causing problems in the group! Boy, I feel awful now!

#3 This Native American girl who was a few grades younger than me (and a few pounds heavier) and sometimes rode my bus came up behind me after lunch one day and yanked on my hair. I didn't do a thing about it though, but she had said something about me commenting on her hair. I didn't even know her name, had only seen her a few times and had never commented on her hair! I was a bit unnerved by her for awhile as I wasn't (still ain't) the fighting type! My boyfriend could've kicked her butt though;)

#5 While on our class trip to NYC some guys were throwing things out of the hotels windows and got busted. Not sure if they hit somebody, but I think they came pretty close to! When we ventured to Toronto to finish off our trip the manager of that hotel heard about it and really lectured us, locking us in our rooms at night and putting tape on the doors so nobody snuck out! I think even the chaperones were in shock!

So, that is the truth of the matter! Hope you had fun playing!

True or False

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!!!!!

I was tagged by Bethany for this fun meme! Here's how it works: Write five things about yourself with only ONE of them being true. The other four are fiction, and everyone else gets to guess which one is not fiction. Let me know in the comments which one you think is true!

1. While in high school I was driving 60 mph on snow covered roads in the country, speeding through the many curves in the road. Alas, I started to spin out of control only to end up spinning right into a tree! Luckily, a plow was right behind me and stopped to give me a hand out of my car. I only sustained a sore wrist from hitting it on the steering wheel somehow. I wasn't allowed to drive again until the snow melted!

2. While attending a Billy Graham youth conference with my youth group a friend and I ditched the conference with two boys we knew from another town. We ended up getting lost as we hiked up a mountain, drove along Lake Superior and ended up a bit drunk, plus we were late getting back to the conference. Our leaders were so worried about where we had been and we were 'suspended' from youth group for a time! I was not allowed to associate with friends for a month!

3. In high school I got into a fight with a Native American girl. She came up behind me and yanked my hair, so I turned and punched her in the face. We hit one another a few times before my boyfriend broke up the fight. She ended up with a bloody nose and my left cheek was all bruised and swollen. Turned out she heard I had made fun of her hair so she decided to try to kick my butt. We both got detention for the week.

4. My freshman year of college I had a psycho roommate. At first she seemed normal, but then she began to get a bit weird. She would be gone all hours of the day, avoiding me at all costs. She and I and our suite mates had always gotten along, but now she was nowhere to be found. She would return to our room only when I wasn't there, and wouldn't even sleep or shower there! Nobody really knew where she was and the RA got a bit worried! Then she decided to hang up porn all over our bathroom. When I sat on the toilet there was a naked guy in front of me. When I looked in the mirror behind me was another naked dude. It was disgusting!

5. During my high school senior class trip to New York we decided to throw things out of the 10th story window down below. I took a bottle of hairspray and a pair of cheap sandals and sent them sailing below. The hair spray hit this gangster looking guy on the head and he ended up coming into the hotel to complain at the desk. The cops were called- real NYC cops- and my friends and I were reprimanded and had to stay near a chaperone for the rest of the trip!

Your turn to play along!

Peanuts Anyone?

You are Marcie!

Which Peanuts Character are You?
brought to you by

Back to Normal

Well, our company has come and gone. We had such a good time visiting, even though Zach ended up working. We still managed to do what we wanted to though, and we had such a nice time seeing the kids play together and just spending some time together! I don't have many pictures of us to post on my camera, but Jamie will be emailing me some and then hopefully I can post a picture. Their last morning here we all went out to breakfast and the waitress spilled water all over my diaper bag, which was on the floor. My camera was on the outer part of the diaper bag and now it doesn't quite work- I can't get it to turn on. I did manage to somehow get it turned on Saturday night, but I am not sure what I will do. I am so disappointed. It's a good little camera and best of all it was free!

Saturday night I got to meet Bethany and her husband, Josh. I am not sure who's blog Bethany found me through, but she commented on mine that we're both from the same area! We finally decided to meet and were planning to go out to dinner, but instead I had marinated these steaks all week and invited them over for them. We had such a good time visiting with them and our children really hit it off also! It is so weird how most of the people I've met down here are through the internet. Sometimes you never know if you are going to encounter some weirdo or psycho, but Bethany and Josh were completely normal people and we had a blessed night of fellowship! Hopefully we can get together again!

Now it is back to life as normal...started school again today, back to the library for books, to the Post Office and all of the other errands we do on a normal basis. Hopefully we will get our taxes done this week also!

 

Boys, Bellies and Blunders

My son is obsessed with ladies bellies. He thinks every lady with a bigger belly has a baby growing inside. About a month ago when some friends were over for dinner he walked up to my very pregnant friend and was trying to lift up her shirt, saying something about taking her baby out and where is her baby. He really wanted to see that baby that was in her belly and I think he thought by just lifting her shirt up he'd see it!

Last week a friend stopped by and he said, "Look at her big belly!". She doesn't even have a 'big belly'! I felt horrible!

Yesterday at Awana I was talking to H's new Sparks teacher. She is a shorter lady and a bit on the heavier side. Now mind you, my son has seen many 'bigger' people in his days, be it family, in church, at the store or at a restaurant. So I'm talking to this lady and the next thing I know he goes up to her and is trying to lift up her shirt and asking if there is a baby in her belly! I felt horrible once again!

Kids will be kids, but sometimes they sure do embarrass the heck out of us! So, if you are in the neighborhood and my son tries to lift up your shirt, please just know he is searching for your baby!

A Tribute Of Sorts

It was the summer of 1999. We were newlyweds arriving at our first duty station (Minot, North Dakota), pretty much new to the Air Force. That is where we met the best friends anybody could have, Scott and Jamie. Zach & Scott went to Tech School together and both got orders to Minot. When we arrived in Minot Zach somehow got a hold of Scott and we went to their house. They were just moving in and there were boxes everywhere. I remember thinking how weird they talked! They are from 'Wuhsta', Massachusetts! Jamie and I seemed to hit it off pretty well. She was, after all the first person I met in Minot (and we do have the same name)! The next day as we looked at houses (they gave us 3 choices) on base we picked the one nearest to them (which happened to be the nicest one). We often would get together with Scott and Jamie, eating dinner together and playing games. Jamie and I often talked about getting together when the guys were at work, but time would go by and we still hadn't gotten together without the husbands! I don't know why, we seemed to get along great while the four of us were together. (Seems weird to think back to the days with no kids). Zach was a cop in the missile field, gone for days at a time, and Scott was a cop on the flight line, so they worked different schedules. Finally, Zach got switched to working on the flight line also. Wow! Jamie and I often began doing things together with the guys working the same shift (from like 2 pm to 7 am). Being we were in North Dakota, there wasn't much to do, but we often visited at one another's house or took a walk. We discovered how much we love to play Scrabble! Thus began the road to our friendship...

They were there all through our first years of marriage and parenthood. Jamie came and watched H while I had J. It seemed our holidays were spent together, as well as our off time. And like I said Jamie and I got together far more often while the guys worked. We went through a lot together up in the frigid cold on the prairie, er Air Force base.

Almost six years later...We now live in Mississippi and they are moving from California to Washington D.C. We moved from Minot back in August of 2002, leaving behind the closest friends we've had. That is one thing that I hate about military life- leaving friends behind. It is so hard to come across good friends! And oftentimes you find there are some people that just don't keep in touch as well as others, although maybe you'd like to. I remember saying good-bye to Jamie at TLF, just bawling my eyes out. Now don't get me wrong, I was SO glad to leave North Dakota (and joked not to look back for fear I'd turn into a pillar of salt), but I just wanted to pack Scott and Jamie up in our van and take them along!

I remember one weekend when we were living in North Carolina. Zach insisted I not go anywhere this Saturday morning while he went to work. He said he had a surprise. Now I knew that Jamie was up around Maryland working at that time, as she traveled for work. We were going to arrange to see one another but it didn't work out. So, I just assumed Zach must have been having flowers delivered. I'm going about my day doing something in the kitchen, talking on the phone when the doorbell rings. I look out the window and see a lady standing there and I think (and even comment out loud) how strange it is that she isn't holding flowers. So, I go to the door and open it, puzzled by this lady on my doorstep, when it hits me. It is Jamie! I stood there, my mouth hanging, in utter amazement, speechless. I politely get off the phone and cry and laugh at the same time as I hug Jamie. I could not believe my eyes! Here she drove all the way down to see my for only one night! What a friend! We had a blast!

Now, as they travel from west coast to east they are stopping to see us! They arrive tomorrow! I have been anticipating this day for a LONG time! I cannot contain myself and I know I'm going to have trouble sleeping. You see, Scott and Jamie are no longer just Scott and Jamie. They have a lovely 2 year old son that I get to meet for the first time! They adopted this sweet boy from Russia when he was about 10 months old! I have seen numerous pictures and heard many tales of this budding boy, but to actually see their child! It is hard enough anticipating seeing them...But their son! I know how much they desired a child, prayed for and yearned for a child. Once they moved to Cali adoption fell into place and now they are parents! The amazing thing is to see Jamie's faith in the whole matter, that one day God will allow her to conceive. Oh, I pray so! I know they are awesome parents!

So, as I sit these next 12-24 hours waiting for them to arrive, I will ponder the memories of our times in North Dakota. It is exciting to get company no matter who it is, but when it is somebody this special...And we have never had friends visit us before (from out-of-town), it has always been family (doesn't that sound sad and pitiful)...This will truly be a special time.

*On the flipside, Zach is unable to get leave this week. It will take a miracle. So, please say a prayer that he is able to get time off. Not only does he have to work, but he has to work horrible hours, not allowing him much time with Scott.*