***I typed this post on Monday, Sept 15th as we were driving home from our vacation in San Antonio. I am finally, just now getting an opportunity to post it.
Here we sit, the four of us in the van, Matt listening to my Mp3, the kids in the back watching Evan Almighty on the TV/DVD and me, here, typing to you on my laptop. It’s amazing how technology has transformed our lives. Gone are the days where everyone would sleep, read or write during a road trip. Now we have more devices to play with than we have time or know-how. Last night when we set out for dinner at Dave & Busters, we didn’t have to do mapquest or look at the map, we just turned on my SIL’s GPS and ta-da we were being told through the voice of some unknown GPS woman where to go and when. Miraculously she knew precicely where we were at all times, even when we took the wrong exit, she automatically recalculated our directions—at which time I was using my cell phone to text message my BIL who was following us. How’d we ever live without all this stuff? What’s next? It just blows my mind to think how advanced technology has become just since I’ve been alive…and where it might be when my kids are adults….!!
Anyway, as most of you know, we’ve been on vacation for the past 5 days. Up until the moment we left, we were trying to decide if we should call the trip off. With all the hurricanes we’ve been having and hurricane Ike headed straight for Texas, we weren’t sure our plans of going to Sea World were very intelligent. It was already raining and the temperatures were dropping. We called Sea World on Wednesday night and they said they were tentatively scheduled to close on Saturday depending on what effects the hurricane had on them. It would be Saturday morning before they made the final decision. In the end, and after MUCH thought, we decided to just go ahead with the trip as planned and we would just make the best of it whatever happened.
S o….Thursday we drove 3 hours South to our hometown to meet up with our family. It rained the entire trip. We stayed the night at my MIL’s house and celebrated Matt’s Mamaw’s b-day. Then early Friday morning, we set off for San Antonio, TX despite the looming bad weather. Amazingly, the further South we drove, the nicer the weather got! By 4:30 pm when we arrived at Matt’s little sister’s house, the weather was picture perfect. In the low 90’s and bright sun-shiny! We all freshened up and then headed to the River Walk for dinner at The Rainforest Café. That is such a cool restaurant! The kids loved the thunderstorms every 30 minutes and all the life-like animals.
Saturday we all (11 of us) made our way to Sea World and had a great day. We were able to ride every ride except one and saw a few shows. That night we had our “Dinner with Shamu” experience which was very cool. We got to get VERY close to 4 killer whales and ask the trainers all of our questions while enjoying a huge buffet. Afterwards, my SIL Lindsay and I decided to get henna tattoo’s on our feet. They were so cute until the paste rubbed off and then we were left with very faint lines. We were disappointed since the girl said they would last 2 weeks….but still…it was pretty cool and not too horribly expensive ($12) When we got back to the hotel, the kids had a blast swimming in the hotel pool and hot tub while us adults sat and visited (and the guys played cards) on the patio.
Sunday we awoke to light rain but we didn’t let it damped our spirits. We threw on our ponchos and headed back to Sea World to catch a few more shows and rides and then finally around 2 pm, the sun came out and we went to the Lost Lagoon water park inside of Sea World. We had a ball going down the huge water slides and relaxing in the wave pool before the park closed and we went back to the hotel. We decided to go to Dave & Busters for dinner and maybe play a few games. By the time we got home last night from that, it was nearly midnight and we were all SO exhausted! Now, here we are, an hour and a half into our 9 hour drive home. The drive here wasn’t too horribly bad because the kids kept busy watching movie after movie (and playing with the items in their goody bags I made them) and I read the book Mistaken Identity aloud to Matt—all 275 pages! It was a great way to pass the time and I actually finished the last page as we were pulling into my SIL’s neighborhood!! (perfect timing!) It’s been a looooong time since I’ve gotten to read a book at all—but to actually finish one from cover to cover---I can’t even remember the last time! (probably on our cruise 3 ½ yrs ago!)
It was a fun trip but we definitely agree we wish we had planned an extra day into the trip to just relax. We stayed on-the-go the ENTIRE time and the only time we were able to just relax was when we fell into our beds at night. It sounds awful, I know..but I’m already looking forward to next weekend so we can just chill at home and relax. Ha!
*Thanks to my BIL, Larry, for thinking up the cool title for this post! :o) ---Although I feel I should mention that hurricane Ike did indeed cause a ton of destruction in TX—in Galveston and Houston—where almost everyone is out of power and gas…but for us in San Antonio…it missed us completely! Yay!
Hi everyone! I feel like I've been in hiding or something--it's been so long since I've blogged. I just wanted to say a quick THANK YOU to each one of you who left me a sweet, encouraging comment or sent me an e-mail and to my special friend who sent me a card by 'snail-mail'! You guys are so thoughtful. I didn't realize how much it would mean to hear (read) your kind words but everytime I got an e-mail in my inbox telling me I had a new comment on my "Time Out" post, my heart felt loved and touched. I know it's hard to know what to say to someone who has lost a loved one and sometimes its easier to just avoid it...but you guys didn't do that and I appreciate it so much! I truely feel like each comment/e-mail lifted my spirits a little more and encouraged me to not only get through this...but to let the tears fall--thus speeding up the healing process. It's still hard to go over to my mom's house next door and not expect to see my grandma sitting there in her chair where she ALWAYS was--and to see everyone picking through her things like a garage sale taking whatever they want--but I am able to focus now on what her surroundings are like instead of mine...and that is the ultimate encouragement.
In other "news" you guys may remember a while back when I did a post about a friend of mine who I "let down" when I offered to do something for her and then wasn't able to complete the task. Well, I am back to that situation. She's gone on vacation once again and has asked me to cover for her. I feel this is my opportunity to redeem myself once and for all--so I am overwhelmingly busy this week doing about 6 hours per day of transcribing instead of my usual 1-2. Once Monday gets here, I anticipate life getting back to normal..and then I will have LOTS to blog about---first of which is our Sea World trip we took back on the 11th. I have tons of pictures to show you from that and then I have lots of family pics to share from last week. I promise, I'll be back soon! I miss reading your blogs so much too...I've been trying to catch up here and there when I have a spare second or two (even though I haven't always had time to leave comments). Don't know if I'll EVER catch up on Logzie's blog though..that girl is a blogging fanatic! ha ha (I love you T!) Okay, talk to you all again asap! Thanks again for everything! You've been such a blessing to me!
Long story short (you can read the long one on my P90X blog) I'm in love with Zumba. I think maybe it's what I should be doing....
I'm not sure how talented I am at it...but I know I definitely have a passion for it! I can't think of any funner way to burn calories! How many of you have ever taken a Zumba class? Did you like it?
I LOVE summer...but this cooler weather has me all giddy inside!! I am enjoying wearing long sleeves and light jackets and JEANS and my soft, comfy robe! Right now I have on my softest, fuzziest slippers, my comfiest pajama pants, my new 3/4 length sleeve apricot babydoll night gown from Victoria Secret and my hot pink furry VS robe and I feel like a big cloud puff, I think. It's delicious! I am also liking sipping on warm soup (see my P90x blog for recipe!) and cuddling on the couch by hubby and kiddos with cushy down-filled blankets!
I don't think I've EVER looked forward to fall quite like I am this year! That's very unusual for me...usually Summer is the ONLY season I ever look forward to...well and maybe Spring because it is the appetizer for Summer!
Anyway, anyone else with me on this? All this cool air, comfy, warm clothes and cuddling...it's just plain YUMMY!
I was listening to our local Christian radio station the other day and I heard the lady say "When you hear little voices singing along in the back of the car...it makes it easier to choose a radio station, doesn't it?"
Boy is that EVER true!
It really hit home for me because I didn't realize how much non-Christian music I listened to until I heard Brooklyn singing along to some not-so-uplifting songs the other day. I thought--"How in the WORLD does she know all the words to that song?" But I know it's gotta be from me running the radio all the time in the van. Sometimes when I can't even hear it (because I'm talking to someone or on the phone) she can still hear it. Who knows what comes on during those times! Yikes!
Then the other day someone gave me a scripture. A scripture that they felt was "just for me." It was 1 Peter 1:16 which says "It is written, Be holy, for I am holy."
OOOOOOOOOOUCH!
I'm not sure what that was supposed to mean exactly...where I am concerned...but it certainly pricked my heart in a certain few areas where I feel a little un-holy. I am trying to not over-analyze it though either. My first thought was that holy means perfect...and so God is telling me to try harder to be perfect!!?????????? But I don't think that's right....
Anyway, on top of it all, I watched Joel Osteen the other day...just by chance...and it was the best message I have ever heard (for me) in my life. I've watched it 3 more times now and I can't help but tear up. The message is called "You are God's Masterpeice" and just as an example of what it's talking about...he says he was once at a persons house who had this ugly, boring painting hanging on the wall. When he asked about it he found out that it was an original Picasso painting worth $1,000,000. Then he reminded us that we are God's craftsmanship...His masterpeice. Our worth isn't found in us (the painting) but in the creator or painter (God!) That same painting could have been done by someone else and would be worth nothing...but because it was painted by Picasso..it was worth a TON!
Wow! It is just such an awesome message and I would GREATLY ENCOURAGE you to go to his website at http://www.joelosteen.com/ and download the podcast to your Ipod. I promise you, it'll be worth it!
It's football season....big deal.
Another reason I'm more into football this year is because Brooklyn's new friend (and pen pal) Mason plays football for his team, the Spartans. He's such a cutie!
Speaking of pen pals, Brooklyn has also been writing to Logan (Logzie's son). She is having so much fun making friends in different states and finding out about what they like to do. He's a handsome little guy too!
I'm one of those people who loves to give very thought-out, useful, meaningful gifts. I can't STAND to just go buy something just for the sake of giving someone a gift. I also take pride and joy in getting a bargain. Meaning I am able to give something to someone that maybe originally cost $50 but I only paid $20 for it. That being said, I keep my eyes open all year round for things I can give people either for b-day gifts or at Christmas that I know will be special and just perfect for them, and for bargains, of course. When I find something, I buy it and put it in my "gift closet" to hold until that special occasion...which most often is Christmas. But here's where the whole ?question? about it comes up....is it totally weird and un-natural to give people stuff for Christmas that can only be used in Summer? For instance, beach towels, a cute swim-suit cover up, sandals....
Last year at the end of summer I found a GREAT deal on those picnic blanket things. They are waterproof vinyl on one side and then like soft cotton on the other side (cute prints). They are normally $20 at Target but I found them for $4.99 so I bought them all. I thought they would be perfect gifts for all the young married's in my family (I have several neices and nephews who are just starting their families). But when it came time to wrap them up, it just felt really dumb and weird giving them something like a picnic blanket when there's 6 inches of snow on the ground outside.
This year I found a STEAL on NICE beach towels at Kohl's. These towels were regularly selling for $24.99/each and I got them for $4.13/each. I bought them up and now they are sitting in my gift closet and I am already feeling like a big DORK for thinking of giving beach towels to people for Christmas.
So.....I wonder....am I really strange for doing this? Would you think "how weird!" if you got a beach towel from someone for Christmas? Does it make me look cheap? Do any of you do stuff like this?
So..you'll NEVER guess who just called me!!!!???
The lady from the tanning salon and she was VERY sweet and apologetic and said she would get me a check in the mail TODAY for the full amount that I paid for the gift certificate!! I just can NOT believe it! I really, truely never thought I'd get a penny back on this deal...and especially not without me having to be a bully about it. She said she has been out of town for the past 10 days but has gotten all my many messages and my note that I left the other day and "is very sorry that no one contacted me to let me know what was going on." Wow!
Never in a million years would I have expected that!
So...guess what I just realized? That 90 days from today, August 27 is THANKSGIVING DAY! That means that if we ALL start today...we can be looking WAY good by then! I know this is the wrong blog for this...but I wanted to extend the invitation to ALL my friends and readers and not just those of you who read my P90X blog. So, here's my plan: Let's commit to one another to ALL get at least SOME kind of exercise every day for the next 90 days. That's simple enough, right? I am doing P90X again...but you don't have to do something like that...just make an effort to do SOMETHING. My suggestion would be do some kind of weights every other day and do some kind of cardio every other day. For instance, you could work your arms & abs on Monday, cardio on Tuesday, work on your shoulders/back & abs on Wednesday, cardio on Thursday, work your legs & abs on Friday, cardio on Saturday and on Sunday, do little intervals--5 min. of weights alternating with 5 min. of cardio. That's just a suggestion...but that would be a way to get your whole body worked each week.
Of course, if you also make some changes to your diet..you'll see results MUCH faster! Anyway, feel free to check in with me daily on my P90X blog and leave me comments to let me know you're in this with me.
Thanksgiving is around the corner either way--whether you do it or not...so what have you got to lose? (besides flab? :o)
***By the way, if any of you are interested in doing the P90X program with me, I would be happy to make you a copy of the written work outs. I can't copy the DVD's...but you really don't have to have them. They have the entire workouts written out (including warm up and cool down) in the manual. Just leave me a comment and let me know. **Serious requests only though...since it would be a LOT of copying (paper, ink & postage) to send it to you. :o)
I was raised in a family who, trying to live a strict Christian life, didn't even own a TV for most of my childhood years. We learned to value family time and game night and Bible reading together. Things I cherish now as an adult (although surprisingly I never despised them as a child either).
Now that I am grown with children of my own, I am having to make decisions about how they should be raised. What kinds of things they are going to be exposed to and possibly become addicted to. And so--the subject of "gaming" has come up. The only kind of game system I ever played was an Atari (at my friends house) and then as a young teenager, my brother and his family who came to live with us for a few months, brought their original (Super Mario Bro's/Duck Hunt) Nintendo. I had a great time playing that for those months but that was the end of it. Never again in all my years have I had the opportunity or desire to play any kind of video games again.
Well...to be completely correct and honest, a few years back we did borrow the Nintendo from my brother (they still had it after ALL these years!!) because we thought it would be fun to try out the old games again (Matt used to love Mike Tyson's Punch Out). We played it for a couple of days...but other than that, it's just been sitting in our spare bedroom.
Okay..so that brings us up to current...
Last night while I was busy, Matt and the kids got it out and started playing it. Brooklyn likes it but I think she could take it or leave it. Grant on the other hand...well, I just see this as a pivotal time. I'm either going to allow him to keep playing it and become "addicted" or I could start right now at this very fresh beginning and put limits on his playing time.
At the moment, its very convenient for him to be playing it because I am working (well, really, I was until I started blogging! ha ha) and he's having so much fun...hollering out to me every few minutes that he "got big" or "got killed" or whatever.
So, I'm wondering...what do you guys think about this? I know...everything within reason and in BALANCE is usually okay...but I wonder, how many of your kids are addicted to these machines? If I start letting my 4 year old play Nintendo...does that mean that by Christmas he'll be asking for a Wii or playstation or something?
Maybe this is something I don't even want to get started. Because honestly, I think playing video games (other than on occasion for a short period of time) is just a waste of brain cells and time. Yes, you can learn something from it...eye hand coordination or whatever...but you can also learn that from REAL things like riding your bike and playing outside and reading a book and stringing beads onto a necklace and so forth. I've always had a prejudice towards guys who sit and play video games for hours on a daily basis. To me, anything that requires you to sit for hours on your butt and do nothing productive (and doesn't pay) is just LAZY and USELESS.
So...what are your thoughts on this subject?
A couple of months ago, I bought my mom a gift certifcate for tanning at our local (small, family-owned) tanning salon. It was $25 for 10 sessions in the stand-up bed. Well...she never did use it so last month when I was wanting to start tanning before my pictures, she gave it to me and said for me to just use it. That was perfect since I needed to tan anyway...or so I thought. Turns out the place was NEVER open. Every single time I went to try to tan...no one was there---despite their hours being posted (and I was there during those hours) and a big neon "Yes We're Open" sign in the window. Finally, after about 2 weeks of this, I called and left a message. Then a few days later, my mom called and left a mesage. A week after that the lady calls and says that she is trying to sell the business but that she is still open (she had been on vacation the prior weeks) but that I could still come and use it. Okay...great! So, again, I try and try and try to use it...but again..no one is EVER there. Now today, the sign has been taken down and if you call the phone #..there is no answering machine anymore. Apparently she has gone out of business.
Now...the best thing for me to do at this point would be to throw away the gift certificate and just chuck this one up to bad luck. But no. I can't. It's driving me crazy! I mean...I gave the lady my hard-earned money in exchange for tanning...and if she can't provide me the tanning..then I believe she OWES me my money. Right?
When I went today and saw that she had "closed shop"--well that was just the last straw. I was so ticked off. She has NEVER returned any of my phone calls over the last 2 weeks to try to figure out a time when I could come tan (and I've left about 1 every other day). She is obviously avoiding me and probably rolls her eyes everytime she hears my name or my voice on her answering machine. But as far as I'm concerned...this isn't over. I left her a letter on the door today (a nice one...even though I REALLY wanted to say something hateful). So we'll see where that gets me.
What do ya'll think? Should I just throw the dumb gift certifcate away and just forget about it? Or am I right to think she should refund my money? And what can I do about it?
You know what stinks? That Christian's don't have any where decent to go to dance! I mean...anywhere there's dancing...there's also smoking and drinking and cursing and lots of nastiness. I want to go somwhere where I can sip on a cherry limeade and do the electric slide and not feel like I'm partaking in something sinful. Maybe dance a little salsa, some disco even a country song or two--break out the linedancing! Who doesn't have fun doing the motions to the YMCA? I think us young, married, Christian couples NEED this kind of thing! I mean, I don't know too many people who don't feel a little extra-romantic when they're in their lover's arms swaying to the beat of a good song. Sure, we can do it in the confines of our homes...but most of us have little ones running around our feet and THAT can totally "ruin" the moment! Plus, there's something about being in public...you see the love others share and it makes you reflect on how much you love your special someone. (or at least that's how it works for me).
I know there is a lot of ungodliness that is associated with dancing...but it doesn't have to be that way--does it?
Who else out there is with me on this? What can we do about it?
...when it comes to computers! I can NOT stand spending (wasting) HOURS sitting here at my computer trying to figure out something that I KNOW is probably a simple task...but because I am SO ignorant about these complex machines (who I SWEAR have a mind of their own)...I can't figure it out for the life of me!
What I want to do is this: I want to create some kind of "picture" where 2 pictures are side by side (before & after). I don't want to post them one after the other....I want them to be beside each other. Does anyone know how to do that? I know it can be done because almost everyone who does P90X posts their before and after pictures and they are side-by-side--almost like a document of their own. Anyway, please pass along the knowledge if you know...I'd sure appreciate it.
Also, I'd really LOVE to change the background of my blog to something cute and fun and funky like most of you all have...but I am TOOOOOO scared I'll lose everything like the last time I tried it! I decided right then that plain black was plenty "cool" for me! :o)
Hey there everyone!
Just wanted to let you know about 2 bargains going on right now that you should TOTALLY take advantage of!!
1. Origins skincare (http://www.origins.com/) is giving away a free sample set of your choice with ANY purchase and they are offering FREE shipping. If you remember a while back, I told ya'll about a product they sell that is AMAZING. It's called Peace of Mind On The Spot Relief. It' a little bottle of this miracle potion that you can use to ease muscle tension or relieve a headache and it works EVERY SINGLE TIME for me. I get this awful muscle spasm thing in my shoulder/back from being on the computer so much and this stuff takes it away within seconds!! It's only $10....so if you buy it right now (like I just did) you not only get that...but you also get a (nice size) sample set of their skin care stuff (I got the Andrew Weil Plantidote set) and FREE shipping and all I paid was $10.88 TOTAL! This is a really great deal!
2. JEANS! Old Navy is offering their kids jeans this Saturday (August 23) for only $7 and their adult jeans for only $12!!! They are putting a limit of 3 pairs per person....but if you take the whole family...well, for me that could equal up to 12 pair! Plus, if you can't make it out to the store...they have their famous $7 shipping. Shipping is always only $7 with Old Navy--unless you spend $150 and then it's free!
Just now while waiting in a long line of cars to pick up my kids from school, I looked over at the vehicle next to me. There was a little girl, probably about 9 or 10 yrs old, in the passenger front seat just STARING at me. For like 2 straight minutes..her eyes never left my face. Then all of a sudden she stuck her tongue out at me---and just held it there! What else could I do but stick my tongue out right back at her!!! I think I REALLY surprised her because she immediately put her tongue back in her mouth and then jumped into the back of the SUV! ha ha ha ha ha
It may have not been the most motherly thing to do..but MAN I sure got a good giggle out of that!! I'm still chuckling.....hee heee hee
I have had a severe muscle spasm (twitching) in my right thigh for FOUR DAYS NOW! It's about to make me CRAZY! It stops and starts ALL day and night long. Sometimes it's fast...sometimes its slower...and sometimes it looks like my leg is vibrating! I would say it does this about every 5 minutes and last night, it KEPT waking me up all throughout the night. Matt says "that is so weird. Something about that is not right." Grant says "I think there is a frog in there!" and Brooklyn says, "Oh, it's like there is a baby in your leg and its kicking!"
HA HA
Everyone has their theory...but I don't really know what to think. I've checked it out on the internet and all I can find is that it could be due to excessive caffeine (which is impossible given the fact that I rarely ever eat chocolate and I don't drink soda) or it could be due to a lack of nutrients and that a person with twitching should eat more fruits and veggies. Well, if I ate any MORE fruits and veggies than I am already eating..I think I'd throw up. I am eating them at almost every meal. Bluchk....
So...anyone have any suggestions or ideas? I have hit it, massaged it, pressed on it....nothing helps. As a matter of fact, it's going to town RIGHT now! ha ha
Seriously, it's like a creature has invaded my leg!!
I think there are many different views on the subject of being "spoiled". Of course, it could mean something that was once good, has gone bad (food). It could mean that an undeservng person is getting "too many" blessings. It could be referring to an attitude of ungratefulness.
In terms of children, what would you say the definition of "spoiled" is?
Is it taking them anywhere they want to go? Is it buying them anything they ask for? Is it giving them your undivided time and attention? Is it reflected in the way they talk? the way they act? in their attitude?
I appreciate your feedback on this....as I am trying to determine if I am really, truly raising myself a couple of spoiled rotten kids...or if the person who said that just didn't know what they were talking about.
My head is in such a funk today. I HATE the way I am feeling. It's grouchy and super analytical and depressed. I seriously feel like I could stare at a blank wall for hours and just analyze my life and all the things I need to do better. Blahh!!
On top of it, our Sunday School lesson today, titled "Fear of Rejection" really "sliced me and diced me." I realized that a LOT of what I do is fueled by just that---fear of rejection. I have this mentality that if I am the BEST that I can be in every single thing...then no one will reject me...and even if they do---it won't be because of something I did (or didn't do).
Like...if I am the BEST wife (look good, dress cute, keep a spotless house, cook healthy/good, mother well, meet all his needs, etc. etc. etc.) then I will never have to fear that Matt will find someone better than me. And if he ever does leave me, well then at least I can rest assured that it wasn't for a lack of me trying.
How demented is that?
I mean...who is he that I should hold him so HIGH that my view of my self-worth rests solely on his shoulders? Don't get me wrong...its no wrong of his. It's PURELY my fault. I know without a doubt that he WISHES I didn't put him on such a pedestal. I can have an awful, self-concious, sad day all because he said something harsh or unloving to me in the morning. Maybe he didn't like what I was wearing or said something about my hair looking gross or that I looked like I'd put on a few pounds (GASP!)...it will haunt me all day..sometimes all week! Poor guy!
It just makes me wonder...what is wrong with me that I am like this?
Most people who said they struggled with fear of rejection could trace it back to a significant event or time in their life when they experienced severe rejection. (a parent walking out on them, a spouse leaving them, a childhood embarrasment) But me? I don't have any reason to be like this.
I have definitely come a LONG LONG WAY from where I was as a child/young teen though. I can't tell you how many things I missed out on in my childhood JUST because I was afraid of what people might think or say about me. How many games and contests I wouldn't participate in...how many clubs and parties I skipped out on...how many questions I didn't answer in class---all because I had fear of rejection.
I don't know where it came from, but I hate it and I NEVER want to see my kids be plagued with it. I mean, of course, we all have our times when we feel a little self-concious...but I'm talking about it being a part of daily life.
Anyway, I am really overwhelmed with thoughts today and I am supposed to be at my desk working...not blogging..but I just wanted to get this out and see if maybe typing it would help.
How many of you would say you have a real fear of rejection? Or am I the only one? I was shocked by how many people in my Sunday School today said they have NO fear of rejection!
As you probably noticed, I posted our whole family's mug shots for you to see! ha ha
Last weekend we visited the Riverwalk in our town. We've never been on a weekend night and were delighted to see they had several live bands, lots of people and food and a few stores and vendors open. We had a fun time enjoying the weather and just walking up and down the river. One of the vendors was a guy (who was drinking more than he was making, I'm sure) who draws charicture pictures of people. We decided to waste 24 bucks and have the whole family done. (and lucky for him...he could buy a few more beers!) This is what you call REDNECK PHOTOGRAPHY right here folks!!
This is how he looked most of the time today...very quiet.
I'm curious as to what you guys think about this.
I know it is ALWAYS God's will for our bodies to be well and healed. (I've listened to enough Keith Moore lately to have that engrained in my head! ha ha) I know that God is willing and able.
But...
When a person is in their mid 80's and diagnosed with cancer throughout their entire body---is it even realistic or right to believe for their healing? I mean...God does say we will all die eventually. Who's to say when it's our time?
I'm so confused on how I should be thinking and believing right now for my grandma. According to the doctors, the prognosis is bad. According to God's word---she can be healed. What should I be praying for???
How many of you, like me, have used the rising gas prices to get out of going somewhere?
I didn't realize it, but as I am sitting here at my desk working, I am thinking about something I am supposed to do today, but don't really want to. AH HA!! I have the perfect reason I can't go---gas. It's not a lie either...I mean, this place I should be going...it's a good half-hour drive there and back...which does mean a lot of gas. A full hour of driving would probably cost me at LEAST $5 in gas...maybe more. I'm not good at figuring out the numbers, but I know I fill up ($60) once every 5 days or so.
Anyway, as I started thinking of it, I have actually been able to use the high gas prices to my advantage SEVERAL times in the recent months. And...no one can disagree either. I mean, especially for me, who lives in the boonies and has to drive a minimum of 20 minutes to get ANYWHERE. It seems ridiculous to drive all the way into town just to go somewhere for an hour (to do something that technically I could do just as well at home) and then have to drive another 30 minutes all the way back. Who can argue with that? Of course, if it was something I REALLY wanted to do....I'd still do it regardless.
Oh for pete's sake...why am I trying to be so elusive? What I'm talking about here is going to the gym. As I mentioned before...my gym...the one I've been going to for 4 1/2 years has closed its doors for remodeling for the next 6 months. My only options now are to 1) stay at home and do my P90X workouts only or 2)Drive to another town and go to that gym. I have a friend who also lives in my town who has been inviting me to come to the gym she is working out at during this time. And as much as I already miss the gym and my classes..I just can't justify driving all that way to do a work out when I can just pop in a DVD at home and do the same thing. I guess if I really, really, really wanted to go...I'd just do it and forget about the gas.
Anyway, I can think of at least 2 more times just this PAST WEEK that I have turned something down because of "the gas prices" and I just wondered...do any of you do this too?
Of course, we all probably stay home more now to save on gas...but I'm talking about using the gas prices as your excuse for getting out of something that you don't WANT to do.
I know several of you are waiting on the "big story" I have to tell about my photo shoot last Thursday night! It's quite a story, I promise. It would make for a great blog post--very entertaining---but a bit TOO enlightening I'm afraid. I'm not sure I want to divulge that many details about myself here for the world to see...SO...I think I am going to type up a whole big story, save it to my computer and then just e-mail it to whomever is interested. I have a hard time deciphering between what is too personal and what is okay to tell EVERYone. I would prefer to just put it all out there--but sometimes that's not very smart. I remember this one post I read when I very first starting blogging. It was a girl who wrote about her Brazillian Waxing experience. I laughed SO hard and SO long...and I think that post was actually one of the major reasons I started blogging! She was extremely open and honest about every single aspect of that story...and I loved it! But--I also didn't know her. Had I been her sister or daughter or mother...I might have felt a LOT different about her posting details about her "private parts" on the world wide web.
And so for that reason, this story will go out to ONLY those who leave me a comment telling me you wanna hear it.
I was going to at least post a few "getting ready" pics for you all...but this dumb Blogger won't let me. Grrr.....
Maybe I'll try again later. They aren't very good pics anyway seeing as how they are taken while I'm sitting up high in a Director's Chair and Brooklyn is the photographer way down by the floor. You can practically see up my nose!! ha ha
Friday night me and hubby had one of those talks. I'm sure you've all had them. They start out innocent--harmless-- and then suddenly without warning, someone says something that feels like a blow to the heart.
It was all my fault really. I started it. I thought it'd be fun to play a game of "would you rather" with him. I started out with things like "Would you rather me wear a dress or jeans when we go out?" "Would you rather go for a ritzy night on the town or do something more casual and rough-neck?" "Would you rather me be a girly-girl or a tough-girl?" and on and on. (by the way, he said girly-girl on that one!) And as if THAT wasn't bad enough....then I asked the really BAD question: "Would you be happy if I was skinny but not fit and musclar or would you rather me keep working out and toning my muscles?" He said "Skinny". To which I said in horror, "You mean if I stayed this skinny but never worked out another day in my life...you wouldn't care?" And he said, "yah."
Eerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrk! (sound of nice, happy conversation coming to a screeching stop!)
Okay....at that point I realized that my husband of over 10 years has just told me that 2 of my strongest assets (I feel) are things he doesn't appreciate or like. I've always been proud that I'm not a sissy girl. I don't worry about messing my nails or hair up. I can get down and dirty shoveling or mowing or anything else that a guy can do. If the tub gets clogged, just give me a screwdriver and I'll fix it. If the light needs to be changed, the trash taken out, the oil in the car changed--whatever it is--I can handle it. There is VERY little, if anything, that I have to have a man do for me. Not that I don't appreciate TOTALLY when he does do those things...because I do...but I hate for him to have to come home from a long day at work to do all kinds of stuff around the house for me.
Secondly, my muscles. I am proud of these muscles. I have worked HARD for these muscles. I have the biggest biceps of any girl I know (well, almost) and I also think I have great legs--considering I'm 30 and the mother of 2 kids. It takes constant dedication and motivation to maintain this level of fitness and muscularity. I'm no body-builder by ANY means...nor would I EVER want to be--but I'm also not flabby and jiggly like some of the other "skinny" girls I know.
That being said, I have always known that Matt loves girls to be and look like girls. The cutsier the shoes...the better. The frillier the dress or shirt...the better. The more "dolled up" I get---the better. And I LOVE getting fixed up. If it weren't for the money, I'd probably always have on cute, girly clothes and shoes, the best make up, great jewelry, nails done, hair fixed....etc.
This whole subject "devastates" me because as many of you know..I try VERY hard to be the dream wife for my husband. I know...some of you will roll your eyes at that statement...but I do pretty much cater to his every want and need. I am willing to be whatever he wants, whenever he wants if it makes his "dreams come true." I just think that the more giving I am--the more giving he'll want to be in return--and even if not--it's the kind of servant attitude that Jesus would have me to have, I think. I am not saying I am his doormat...he treats me like the queen of the house...I'm just saying that when its all said and done, I want to be THAT perfect woman for him. I don't want him to have any reason to look at another woman...or wish he had something else. So.....that is why there is a big kink in my thinking right now. I am devoting so much of my time and energy to being a tough, work-a-holic, work-out woman---picture Betty Crocker meets Wonder Woman. I think I am at my sexiest when I am in a sports bra and gym shorts, hair in a pony tail, muscles bulging doing squats or chin-ups or push-ups. I think Matt may actually be disgusted by it. !!!!! Not by the fact that I am working out...but how I look at that moment.
Obviously, it's Monday and this conversation was on Friday and I am STILL mulling it over in my head. Maybe I should focus more on looking good and being thin? Of course, I am not doing all this JUST for him...it is for me and my kids and my well being. But if he doesn't even care...?
I don't know...my head feels foggy and I can't make sense of all these thoughts. Anyone want to offer any clarity?
I just can't believe he doesn't give a care one way or the other if I ever work out another day in my life!!!
And--I think he'd rather me be more of a sissy-girl than a do-it-myselfer too!
Maybe I should go buy a new cutsie wardrobe and get my nails done and go to the Mac counter at Dillards and buy a whole line of good makeup!?! Wonder what'd he think then? I could quit working out..and just start starving myself.....(ha ha..that's so dumb I can't believe I even just typed it).
Okay, I'm a mess. Bye for now!
of me! I took the kids to the new Micky-D's in town on Friday and I didn't steal a single straw! Hooray! :o)
Saturday was my mom's 58th birthday. For some reason, her birthday is always one that seems to somehow get over-looked. We never do anything special for her birthday---and as a matter of fact, I can't really remember EVER celebrating her birthday other than just having a cake. So...this year, since my grandma is (still) with us (she's been very sick) and my aunt is down visiting, my dad was home and my brother and his family were in town, I decided to plan a party. We all got dressed up and went to ShoGun for dinner. I even took the kids to a babysitter's so it was just us adults! (VERY rare for Matt and I to get to do anything with my parents without the kids---since 99% of the time--THEY are the babysitter's).
Me and my hubby---happy to be with all adults!! :o)
My mom and dad--looking happy and in love even after all these years! (30 yrs. of marriage!)
My brother and his wife. Some of my favorite people in the whole world. This is the brother who drew my butterfuly tattoo for me!
.jpg)
.jpg)
