Defrag the Hard Drive

Big Guy brought home a paper from school stating that they are going to be doing drug screening at his school starting January 20th through April 3rd.

For whatever reason, this has brought up a lot of discussion about what constitutes a "drug". My hubs' office conducts random drug screenings so they know what screening is all about and what the purpose of it is supposed to be. However, both boys also know that I take medication for my seizures. Little Guy has had big concerns about my taking "drugs".

Before bed tonight, Little Guy asked me how he would know the right type and amount of medication if he were not at home. He asked about taking too much and how to be safe in taking "drugs".

Both of my boys understand things best when things are explained in word pictures so we started by discussing adding sugar to tea in a restaurant. We talked about the absorption point of the water and compared that to the absorption point of your body with medications. I tried to tell him that is why they have guidelines for medications on the sides of the body and what would happen if you took above those guidelines.

All of that lead into a discussion between the difference between good and bad drugs: Tylenol vs. cocaine. Taking your prescription that you need vs. taking a prescription for fun.

After a while I could tell that Big Guy had had the answers he was looking for so I tucked him into bed. He put his hand on his head and I asked if he was O.K.

He said, "Wow, Mom, this is a lot of information. It is almost like pills are little computers that go to your brain and help it know how to get well. Right now, I feel like I need to defrag my hard drive. It is in overload and about to crash. All this deep talk makes my head hurt."

Me too, but hopefully this information will be burned on his "hard drive".

Weekend Freebies

Just a few freebies to enjoy on this wonderful weekend...

Free iPhone Applications (click on the Free tab on the "Top 10" apps)
Free Surf Laundry Detergent
Free Total Cereal Sample
Free bottle of Diet Dr. Pepper

Free Sunkist lemonade stand - Sunkist is giving away lemonade stands to kids ages 7-12 who are willing to donate the money they raise to their favorite charity.

Do I Have Time?

"Mom, do I have time to take a shower with soap?"

That was the question Little Guy just asked me. If you could have seen the look on his face. Completely serious.

We went out tonight and on the way home I told both boys that when we got home I wanted them to take showers, but I wanted them to make it quick, because it was late.

Sometimes I forget how literal my Little Guy is. He must have been sitting there trying to figure out how to make his shower "quick" and come to the conclusion that eliminating soap was the best way.

I hope that is the explanation and this isn't how he has taken quick showers before! I'm telling you... this kid keeps me on my toes.

What A Man

My husband had some vacation days that he had to "use or lose".     So after some discussion, we decided he would take one of those days today.     We didn't have anything we needed to do, but hubs said that he made so many trips and had done so many things with the boys lately that he thought it would be nice for us to have a day together.


When I woke up this morning he was fully dressed like  he was going to work.    "Honey, you realize you don't have to go to work, right?"      He smiled and said, "I know, but I didn't tell the boys that I was going to be off today.    I didn't want to make them feel bad and I know if they know I am at home they will want to stay home too.   Getting dressed will make it normal for them.    Plus I will get to surprise them picking them up this afternoon."  

Is it any wonder why I love this man?

I hope you guys have a GREAT weekend.     I am turning off my computer and enjoying every second of my time with hubs.  

Don't Touch That!

Did you know that there are 31 pages of items listed on the recall list because of the peanut butter recall?    I scanned through it a little while ago to make sure that I had thrown out everything that might have been in our cabinets, but WOW.... 31 pages.

If you haven't had a chance to see the list, you can find it HERE.

I won't gross you out by telling you all the disgusting things that they KNEW was in that peanut butter before they shipped it, but I will just tell you that if you have any of those things in your cabinet.    Don't touch it much less eat it!

WFW: Choose Your Side Of The Bed

I cannot take credit for this beautiful sunset photo.
My friend's husband took this while on vacation in Destin two weeks ago.

We've all read this funny prayer...

Dear God,
So far today, I've done OK, I haven't gossiped, or lost my temper. I haven't been greedy, crabby, mean, nasty, selfish, bitchy or overindulgent. And I'm grateful for that. But dear God, in a few minutes I'm gonna get out of bed, and then I'm probably gonna need a lot more help.
Amen.

I think that is literally the way a lot of people get out of bed in the morning. Can you imagine that being the first thing you say to God each morning? Talk about getting up on the wrong side of the bed.

Waking my boys up each morning is one of my favorite parts of the day. I sit beside their bed and rub their back and I love to see their eyes squint open and the smile come across their face. I love to hear their voices say, "Good morning, Mom." Our routine is almost always the same. I always say: "Rise and shine. It's another day the Lord has made. Did you sleep well?" Little Guy always starts talking and chatting away. Big Guy always says the same thing: "I'll let you know when I am not sleeping." (and then he grabs my hand and rolls over and tries to convince me to let him sleep five more minutes.)

If waking my boys up is so special to me, how much more special is it to my Heavenly Father when I take time to say Good Morning to him. To praise him "from the rising of the sun". For another day. For a goodnight's sleep. That He is my Father. That I had a bed to sleep in. That there is a pot of coffee waiting on me. That I have a wonderful husband lying in bed and two boys waiting to hear my voice.

"From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets,
the name of the Lord is to be praise."
Psalm 113:3

I don't know about you, but I want to be more careful about choosing to get up on the right side of the bed each day. Starting it by praising my God means starting not only myself, but my family off on the right foot.

Do You Floss?

I survived going to the dentist this morning. Ha! Actually, it wasn't that bad because it was just my routine cleaning which means I get to see Suzanne. She is an AMAZING dental hygienist and after my last cleaning I discovered she is also a fellow blogger. So when I got there this morning we had a lot to chat about.

You have to understand why I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Suzanne so much. I have been petrified of the dentist since I was little. Long story... let's just say REALLY bad experience. If there is a horror film about dentists then my childhood dentist was the star.

The first time I saw Suzanne, hubs went with me, I had to take anti-anxiety medication and I was gripping the arms of her chair so hard I think she had to replace them. I think she had to say, "Please open wide." at least 500 times. Donald went with me every time until last time when Little Guy went with me. Today I went to the dentist for the first time EVER by myself. I know this sounds ridiculous, but you would have to know how petrified I was. Even Suzanne was proud. She said she was going to give me a GOLD STAR! (I am going to settle for meeting for coffee at Barnes & Noble!!)

OR

I may make her hold my hand when I have to go back Thursday for my crown. i grind my teeth really badly. I wear a mouth guard at night and I still grind my teeth. Bad enough that I cracked ANOTHER tooth. So, I have to go back Thursday and get that taken care of. My fear of going to see Suzanne is well taken care of.... my fear of seeing my actual dentist. Not so much.

Oh, hubs! Clear the schedule! I need someone to hold my hand!


P.S. Hey, Suzanne! Your sneak peak for tomorrow is.... "Choose your side of the bed!" Psalm 113

I Don't Wanna

I don't want to, but I have to go to the dentist this morning. Oh man I hate it! Makes me want to whine like a 3 year old. Wait a minute.... I am whining like a 3 year old. See what I mean?

Today is Tempt My Tummy Tuesday. I have posted a recipe for a Blooming Onion over at my recipe blog. You will also see a link to Lana and Lisa blog too. Tons of great recipes on TMTT. If you have never visited, you should!

O.K. O.K. No more procrastinating. I'm going. dragging feet But I don't want to!

Happy Anniversary!!

Happy One Year Anniversary, Barry & Jennifer!

Traditional Gift: paper
Modern Gift: clocks

Quirks

I call this cartoon "OCD child abuse". It is funny, but sooo true. This is me (the child, not the parent). As soon as I read it I sent it to Amusing because I knew she would appreciate it. We have the same OCD issues.

The other night I was sitting on the couch and one of my socks was twisted sideways and I thought I was going to go nuts. My skin was crawling and I had to get it off!! When I was a little girl, my Daddy used to help us put on our Sunday socks and he did not understand my thing about socks. Little girl's socks have those seams across the toes. I would freak out if it wasn't straight across the toe and he would put on my shoe. AAAAUUUUGGGHHH! I still have nightmares about that.

My Big Guy has a thing about chewing. He can't stand the sound of people chewing. Creeps him out. My nephew hates people singing... especially girl's voices.

Hubs is funny about his clothing. He has to be hung on the hangers a certain way and nothing can be dried in the dryer. If things actually land on the bottom of the dryer then they have wrinkles. (He helps a lot with laundry because of this quirk.)

Last week when Shaffer was here he said that he likes to have his office very neat and organized and that his boss likes to antagonize him by coming in and moving things around on his desk. Not cool! That would drive me nuts!

What about you? What quirks do you have? Do you have any OCD tendencies?

Some Things Shouldn't Talk

When you get up in the middle of the night and go to the bathroom you are not supposed to hear voices. The last thing you expect to hear is your son's voice saying, "This is toilet paper." If I didn't have to go to the bathroom before, I definitely did then!

Why did my toilet paper talk to me? It is all my BIL's fault. He has always had a quirky sense of humor so he thought it was be funny to give the boys a talking toilet paper dispenser for Christmas.

When my boys opened it they weren't exactly sure what in the world they were going to do with such an unusual gift, but apparently they have discovered its potential.

So have I.... the next place it will wind up is in their bathroom and it will say: "Don't forget to flush and put down the lid!"

Remember? Me Either.

Foto Friday

Last weekend while hubs and Big Guy were gone, Little Guy and I went to the Pathways Family Festival. Little Guy was completely in his element. The gym was filled with science experiments, display tables filled with foods and exhibits from various countries. Outside Little Guy watched a K-9 drug dog demonstration and was fascinated with an archaeologist showing how arrowheads are made. His favorite part of the festival was the geocaching scavenger hunt.

When we left he was smiling from ear to ear. Science is definitely one of his favorite ways to spend a Saturday!

And the next pic is one we took of Little Guy. He is sound asleep on my elliptical trainer. See how he made himself a nice pallet on the trainer. He is always playing on it -- using it as a fort or motorcycle or whatever --- but this is the first time he has used it as a bed!

What Else Do You Say?

The boys were outside today playing after school. I hear them screaming and saying, "Eat it! Eat it!" They were literally daring each other to eat pieces of cat food.

One of them ran in and said, "Mom, he ate a piece of cat food!"

I just picked up my glass of iced tea and said as nonchalantly as possible, "I guess you guys won't want seconds on supper tonight, huh?"

Then I walked out the room and secretly gagged.

*******************

My cat, Kit Kat, is very lovey tonight. She is all snuggled up on my lap and wants me to pet her. I got all comfy on the couch and she crawled up on my shoulder and was just purring and sniffing and acting like she was in heaven.

After a few minutes, it hit me. I spent the day with my sweet twin nieces and my shirt smells like baby milk. Kit Kat thinks I am wearing cat perfume!! ha!

WFW: Home

"In my Father's house are many rooms;
if it were not so, I would have told you.
I am going there to prepare a place for you." John 14:2

Monday morning I woke up very early because I knew that hubs and Big Guy were on their way home. I had so much that I wanted to do before they arrived. After a long exhausting weekend, I wanted them to come home to fresh clean sheets on their beds so that was the first order of business. I started cooking some of their favorite foods because I knew that they would be hungry when they walked in the door. The next order of business was to wash their favorite comfy clothes and then get towels washed and in the dryer so that they would be ready to warm while they were in the shower.

After running around and preparing for them to come home, I called to see how long it would be before they arrived. I couldn't wait because I was just so excited to see them.

It started me to thinking about my Heavenly Father. He says that He has gone to prepare a place for me. That is hard for me to imagine. As much as I love my boys and love putting effort into welcoming them home, I know that my Heavenly Father loves me so much more. Him preparing a place for me? Look around at earth? Do you see what He prepared for us here when He created earth for us to live? His love. His imagination. His creativity. I can't imagine being welcomed into heaven.

I don't know about you, but the best welcome I can imagine is a great big hug from my Daddy! After that, I would be happy to sleep on the floor at His feet for eternity.

When Life Hands You Lemons...

"Do you know that special blogger that somehow finds a way to make lemonade out of the lemons life hands them? They are that certain blogger that is grateful for what has been given to them in this life? I do! And that is what this award is all about!

Sweet Crystal gave me this award. I hope that you have discovered her blog. It is wonderful. I wish she lived closer so I could hire her to make cookies for my boy's school parties!

The Lemonade Award is passed on to people who have shown a great attitude or gratitude this week. I'd like to pass this one on to these blogs:

K Storm

Amydeanne

Carrie

Tyanne

Magic

Having my boys all back home this morning was soooo nice.    The only bad part was that we had to get back into the routine of school and work.     

Yesterday was such a good day.    I was so excited to see hubs and Big Guy walk in the door and hear about all the fun they had while on their youth retreat weekend.     It is no wonder they were so tired after packing so much fun into four days.     Paint ball, horse back riding, high ropes courses, hiking, prayer walks, worship, and concerts.    

After they finished telling me about their weekend, I had news for them.     Our friend, Shaffer, was in town and he was coming over to visit.     The boys were over the moon excited because they had never met him, but had heard us talk about him for forever.     

 

You have to understand that Shaffer is one of "those" friends.    We have known him for about 18 years.     Through ups and downs.    Good and bad.    Happy and sad.     We have been there for each other through the roughest times of each other's lives.      Despite the fact that he lives in Virginia now, he knows and we know that if we need each other... we are there.         So that is why it was so important to us that our boys finally meet him.     

During supper, Shaffer freaked Little Guy out when he took a bite out of a quarter.      Let me tell you.... if you want your cool factor as a parent to go up... invite your friend over who is a illusionist.    Ha!    The boys were amazed.

After supper, Shaffer showed them a little peek of his stuff...

 

 

 

  

 The boys were so impressed but they would freak out if they saw one of Shaffer's real shows.     He is AWESOME!   

So today hubs and I are automatically super cool because they have finally met our illusionist, semi-professional volleyball playing, Crossfit crazy, life long friend that we have been telling them about for so long.       They are already asking when he is going to come back to visit or when we can go visit him.

Monday

Outside my window... I am trying not to look. The neighbor's cat walked up with his daily "catch" and is now playing with it in the backyard. Why can't the neighbor's cat do this in his own backyard?!?

I am thinking... how much I have missed hubs and Big Guy this weekend. It makes me happy to know that they had this weekend at our church's youth retreat, but four days without them is a long time.

I am wearing... blue jeans and one of hubs' shirts. Yes, I miss him.

I am creating... new Word Filled Wednesday photos this morning while Little Guy is playing with his friend.

I am going... to the video store to rent the next season of "24". Considering the focus of television this week, I want something to watch.

I am reading... three books at once for my Christian Book Fiction Alliance. I am so glad that their plot line isn't anywhere similar!

I am hoping... that soon someone will stand up and say that "enough is enough" and that politics won't be more important than the safety of the children of Madison County schools.

I am hearing... the sounds of giggles as Little Guy and his friend play.

Around the house... Seriously? The list is sooo long. I am trying to just pick one spot each day and get it cleaned or organized.

Today is... Martin Luther King Holiday. My poor mother was in labor and delivery with me when Martin Luther King was assassinated. All the nurses in the room were totally distraught with the news and for a brief few moments forgot that they had a patient.... in labor.

My picture thoughts...

My guys.... my heart hurts I love them so much.

God's Accuracy

God planned everything so carefully and perfectly, everything with a plan. As His highest creation, "we are fearfully and wonderfully made."

God's accuracy may be observed in the hatching of eggs.

For example, the eggs of the potato bug hatch in 7 days.

Those of the canary in 14 days.

Those of the barnyard hen in 21 days

The eggs of ducks and geese hatch in 28 days.

The eggs of the parrot and the ostrich hatch in 42 days.

(Notice, they are all divisible by Seven).

God's wisdom is seen in the making of an elephant. The four legs of this great beast all bend forward in the same direction. No other Quadruped is so made. God planned that this animal would have a huge body, too large to live on two legs.

For this reason He gave it four fulcrums so that it can rise from the ground easily.

The horse rises from the ground on its two front legs first.

A cow rises from the ground with its two hind legs first.

How wise the Lord is in all His works of creation! God's wisdom is revealed in His arrangement of sections and segments, as well as in the number of grains.

Each watermelon has an even number of strips on the rind.

Each orange has an even number of segments.

Each ear of corn has an even number of rows.

Each stalk of wheat has an even number of grains.

All grains are found in even numbers on the stalks. The Lord specified Thirtyfold, sixtyfold, and a hundredfold - all even numbers.

Every bunch of bananas has on its lowest row an even number of bananas, and each row decreases by one, so that one row has an even number and the next row an odd number.

The waves of the sea roll in on shore twenty-six to the minute in all kinds of weather.

God has caused the flowers to blossom at certain specified times during the day, so that Linneus, the great botanist, once said that if he had a conservatory containing the right kind of soil, moisture and temperature, he could tell the time of day or night by the flowers that were open and those that were closed!

Thus the Lord in His wonderful grace can arrange the life that is entrusted to His care in such a way that it will carry out His purposes and plans and will be fragrant with His presence. Only the God-planned life is successful. Only the life given over to the care of the Lord is safe.

-- Author Unknown

I Am A Grace

I saw this quiz on Felicity's blog last week and decided to take the test myself. Felicity turned out to be Marilyn (woo-hoo!), but my results say I am a Grace which cracks me up because no one has ever called me "Grace" in my life!

I am curious to see who you all turn out to be... Take the quiz and see! (This should be funny for you, Doghouse!)

You Are a Grace!

You are a Grace -- "I need to understand the world."

Graces have a need for knowledge and are introverted, curious, analytical, and insightful.

How to Get Along with Me

• * Be independent, not clingy


• * Speak in a straightforward and brief manner


• * I need time alone to process my feelings and thoughts


• * Remember that If I seem aloof, distant, or arrogant, it may be that I am feeling uncomfortable


• * Make me feel welcome, but not too intensely, or I might doubt your sincerity


• * If I become irritated when I have to repeat things, it may be because it was such an effort to get my thoughts out in the first place


• * don't come on like a bulldozer


• * Help me to avoid my pet peeves: big parties, other people's loud music, overdone emotions, and intrusions on my privacy

What I Like About Being a Grace
* standing back and viewing life objectively
* coming to a thorough understanding; perceiving causes and effects
* my sense of integrity: doing what I think is right and not being influenced by social pressure
* not being caught up in material possessions and status
* being calm in a crisis

What's Hard About Being a Grace

• * being slow to put my knowledge and insights out in the world


• * feeling bad when I act defensive or like a know-it-all


• * being pressured to be with people when I don't want to be


• * watching others with better social skills, but less intelligence or technical skill, do better professionally

Graces as Children Often

• * spend a lot of time alone reading, making collections, and so on


• * have a few special friends rather than many


• * are very bright and curious and do well in school


• * have independent minds and often question their parents and teachers


• * watch events from a detached point of view, gathering information


• * assume a poker face in order not to look afraid


• * are sensitive; avoid interpersonal conflict


• * feel intruded upon and controlled and/or ignored and neglected

Graces as Parents

• * are often kind, perceptive, and devoted


• * are sometimes authoritarian and demanding


• * may expect more intellectual achievement than is developmentally appropriate


• * may be intolerant of their children expressing strong emotions

Take Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz at HelloQuizzy

My First "TAG" of 2009

My friend, Wyatt, tagged me for a meme! It is my first "tag" of 2009. If you have never visited Wyatt's blog, Support Your Local Gunfighter, you are missing a daily dose of laughter as well as a great source of news with a decidedly Wyatt flair.

Anyway, here are the rules:

1. Link to the person who tagged you. (Done.)
2. Post the rules on your blog. (Done.)
3. Share six non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself.
4. Tag six random people with a link.

Okay, I think I can handle that, since I am chock full of quirks and inseconsequential things. Plus I thought it would give me a chance to answer some of your questions from my "100 Things" post the other day.

Here goes . . .
1. Skinny Dipping - You couldn't believe and really neither can I. Just chalk it up to the things that you do when you are in love, newly married and your husband says, "Please." with that adorable look on his face. I won't give you all the details, but I will say that it was summer and we didn't have a washer and dryer in our apartment. We always waited until really, really late at night to go wash our clothes because it was so hot in the apartment laundromat. All the lights of the complex automatically turned off at 10:30. We passed time between loads by swimming. It was late, lights were off... you get the drift.
2. Saving A Life - Hubs and I were on the way to a Christmas service at church. We drove up just after a wreck had happened. As we drove past I saw that they had pulled the adults from the car, but I could see a little girl still in the back seat and she was in bad shape. I told hubs to pull over to see if we could help. By the time we parked a huge crowd had gathered but no one was jumping in quickly. There was a lot of blood. I had to check on that girl. I walked up and saw that another gentleman had gently gotten her out of the car. His first words, "Maam, don't look. It is bad." She started crying and I knelt beside her to try to calm her down because of her injuries. The man looked at me and we knew had bad she was. She was dying before our eyes. Part of her forehead was folded down. I asked for his shirt and we applied pressure to stop the bleeding and did what we needed to do to stop the shock. An EMT showed up and asked us to continue our pressure until she was secure. He looked at us and said, "If she makes it it will be because of you." That man looked at me and I looked at him and he whispered, "Because of God."
3. Broken a bone - I was in 2nd grade and were visiting at my Mammaw and Pappaw's house. My older cousins were there and I adored them. They were shooting my Pappaw's bb gun. It was the kind that you had to cock before you shoot. I begged and begged until my cousin let me shoot. It was so tough that I had to flip the gun upside down to shoot it. One time I forgot to flip the gun back around and when I shot the gun that cock flew down and snapped my thumb right in half.
4. I judge a restaurant not only by its food, but by its bathrooms. If I go in a restaurant and the bathroom is dirty, I will leave. If they have pride in showing a clean "front", I don't want to know what is going on behind the scenes.
5. Every morning after getting the boys off to school, I get my coffee and consult my Outlook Calendar. I forget everything unless I write it down.
6. My first kiss was in third grade. I wasn't even expecting it. His name was Scott Lane. He was moving away and his Mom brought him over to my house to say goodbye to me and bring me a gift. I was so shocked because I didn't realize he was moving. He just drove up, handed me the gift and told me he was moving. Right before he turned to go to the car, he kissed me. I still have no idea what was in that gift! ha!


I’ll tag the following bloggers:
Tammy @ Greek Grits
Amusing
Lisa @ Blessed with Grace
McCoy's Musing

WFW: Training

Two weeks ago, I woke up on Sunday morning with the most horrific migraine. It was awful and I couldn't do anything but go back to bed, turn off all the lights and just stay as quiet as possible. I slept most of the day and occasionally I would hear the bedroom door open and someone would tiptoe in to check on me. When I woke up I would always find a fresh drink on my nightstand. Late Sunday afternoon, I decided to try to get up for a while. As soon as I walked into the living room I was greeted by my three guys. Little Guy immediately offered to fix me something to eat and headed straight to the kitchen, Big Guy prepared me a comfy spot on the couch and hubs asked if I wanted the remote or the lights turned down low.

My boys have learned so many of these loving and compassionate skills because they have seen them modeled by my sweet husband. He has literally trained them by showing them on a day to day basis.

Not every wife and mom is as lucky as I am. I fully realize that. I am so blessed to be married to a man who not only loves us but truly wants to be fully involved in the training of our boys.

I believe that desire was planted in him by God. It isn't something that he grew up seeing modeled. When we were first dating, we had big discussions about marriage in general because of the type of marriage that had been modeled for him.

Hubs wants our boys to know that they are more important than his office. That they come before any promotion at work. That he is available to them when life's struggles comes along. To do the easy stuff like play catch, wrestle, go to ball games and tell stories at bedtime. He also wants to do the hard stuff like set curfews and set boundaries.

There is a quote that says : "No father's deathbed regret is that he did not spend enough time at work and too much time with his son."

My prayer is that if I follow my hubs' lead, neither of us will ever have that regret. Our boys are just too precious to us.

100 Things

Update: Want to do this on your blog? Just copy the list onto your blog and then bold the items that you have done! Can't wait to see your adventures.

Bold whatever you have done. If you play along let me know so I can go see your list !

1. Started your own blog

2. Slept under the stars

3. Played in a band

4. Visited Hawaii

5. Watched a meteor shower

6. Given more than you can afford to charity

7. Been to Disneyland

8. Climbed a mountain

9. Held a praying mantis

10. Sang a solo

11. Bungee jumped

12. Visited Paris

13. Watched a lightning storm at sea

14. Taught yourself an art from scratch

15. Adopted a child

16. Had food poisoning

17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty

18. Grown your own vegetables

19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France

20. Slept on an overnight train

21. Had a pillow fight

22. Hitch hiked

23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill

24. Built a snow fort

25. Held a lamb

26. Gone skinny dipping

27. Run a Marathon

28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice

29. Seen a total eclipse

30. Watched a sunrise or sunset

31. Hit a home run

32. Been on a cruise

33. Seen Niagara Falls in person

34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors

35. Seen an Amish community

36. Taught yourself a new language

37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied

38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person

39. Gone rock climbing

40. Seen Michelangelo’s David

41. Sung karaoke

42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt

43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant

44. Visited Africa

45. Walked on a beach by moonlight

46. Been transported in an ambulance

47. Had your portrait painted

48. Gone deep sea fishing

49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person

50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris

51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling

52. Kissed in the rain

53. Played in the mud

54. Gone to a drive-in theater

55. Been in a movie

56. Visited the Great Wall of China

57. Started a business

58. Taken a martial arts class

59. Visited Russia

60. Served at a soup kitchen

61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies

62. Gone whale watching

63. Got flowers for no reason

64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma

65. Gone sky diving

66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp

67. Bounced a check

68. Flown in a helicopter

69. Saved a favorite childhood toy

70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial

71. Eaten Caviar

72. Pieced a quilt

73. Stood in Times Square

74. Toured the Everglades

75. Been fired from a job

76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London

77. Broken a bone

78. Been on a speeding motorcycle

79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person

80. Published a book

81. Visited the Vatican

82. Bought a brand new car

83. Walked in Jerusalem

84. Had your picture in the newspaper

85. Read the entire Bible

86. Visited the White House

87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating

88. Had chickenpox

89. Saved someone’s life

90. Sat on a jury

91. Met someone famous

92. Joined a book club

93. Lost a loved one

94. Had a baby

95. Seen the Alamo in person

96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake

97. Been involved in a law suit

98. Owned a cell phone

99. Been stung by a bee

100. Read an entire book in one day

Milk

Little Guy: Hey, Mom, did you know that there is a movie out called, "Milk"?

Me: I think I saw that somewhere. Why?

Little Guy: I just saw a commercial.... I could drink that movie, Mom. *cracking himself up*

A few minutes later...

Little Guy: Mom, that movie?

Me: Yes?

Little Guy: If they made sequels to it do you know what they could call it?

Me: What?

Little Guy: Lots of things -- Chocolate Milk, Buttermilk, and even Soymilk for people who are lactose intolerant!


Oh, brother!

I've Got No Stone To Throw

Lyrics to this song:

Maggie lives on Second Street
Downtown by the river
She looks away from everyone she meets
They've got no time to give her
Because on her shoulder is a scarlet letter
And nobody told her she could do better

I've got no stone to throw
No axe to grind
I look at Maggie's life
And I see mine
I see somebody searchin' for somethin'
A little love and understanding
And the longer I know the Lord
The more I know
I've got no stone to throw

Maggie wears a cross of gold
But she don't know why
She says she tried religion once
But it made her cry
She's been to hell and back so many times
And she's done anything to survive

Maggie lives in every town
And people talk about her
'Cause it's easier to put her down
Than to care about her
But she has a Savior; He is her Judge
Oh, Maggie, you deserve to be loved

Foto Friday

Now that I finally got my computer back I was able to upload all the photos from Christmas and the new ones I took yesterday while spending time with my sweet nieces. I thought I would share just a few favorites with you.

First, of course, new pics of my beautiful, beautiful nieces:

I can't believe they are already five weeks old. I know that my sister and BIL are exhausted from the taxing schedule of feeding twins, but they are doing such an amazing job and already have them on such a great schedule. The girls are thriving and gaining weight and are just so amazing. Fingerprints. Everytime I look at a baby I see God's fingerprints.

I also took this photo of Genesis, my sister's cat, yesterday.   She just looked so sweet all relaxed in the sunshine.

Next is my absolute favorite picture from Christmas. Little Guy has been asking for a telescope for the past two years. He finally got it this Christmas. He was "over the moon" when he opened the box. Late in the afternoon he disappeared and I went looking for him. I found him out on the front porch. He had fallen asleep waiting on it to get dark so that he could try out his new telescope. Priceless.

And last, but definitely not least, is this pic of my Big Guy rocking out on his new Guitar Hero World Tour set. I have told him about my blogger friends who are addicted to Guitar Hero (Dr. Wifey!!). He is practicing and ready to take you on! **Smile!!**

What A Great Day!

I am thinking today has all the makings of a really great day...

... We finally get to get rid of Little Guy's reading fair project. It has been taking up half the kitchen for a week now and I am so ready to say "Bye Bye" to it. I just pray that everything stays on it during the drive to school. Please. Please. Please. I have had nightmares about everything falling off!

... After dropping the boys off in carpool line, I am heading to my sister's house to help her out with the twins. That basically means I get to snuggle, hold and spoil them today. Woo hoo! I am giddy with excitement about getting some one on one time with them.

... On the way to my sister's house I am going to pick up Seattle Drip coffee for both of us. This is a RARE treat. Seattle Drip is my favorite and my drink of choice is "The Summit". However, I just can't justify that chunk of change out of my budget very often.

... Today is Donut Day! (Or as it is really called - Report Card Day.) But it is the one day every nine weeks when we take the boys to Krispy Kreme to get free donuts for their A's. It is a real treat because when you walk in the door they give the entire family one free hot donut. I figure one hot donut every nine weeks can't be too bad, can it?

Have a terrific Thursday!

Book Review: Boomtown

My boys get up every morning with ideas of what they can build, take apart, and create. The adventure is in the creation and every empty box and strand of string is fodder for their latest creation.

If I told them that we were going to move to a city like Boomtown, I think that they would put the "For Sale" sign in our yard before I could get the words out my mouth. Boomtown is every boy's dream. The city lives to blow things up and invent things to blow up. The people are eccentric and accept others for their uniqueness. When you arrive in town the "Welcome Wagon" greets you by delivering a 150 pound box of fireworks.

The family in this book are a pastor and family and his family who arrive not realizing what this town is all about. They soon realize that this town is very different from any other city they have ever lived in before. It is a crazy adventure.

While this book is cute and full of creativity and imagination there were definitely some things about it that I wasn't too crazy about. The story is told from the point of view of the Dad (pastor) which takes away some of the appeal for the child reader which is the whole point of this book. The family was immediately faced with people who were different from them and they learned to embrace their new community as well as their community embraced them.

Also, the kids were incredibly disobedient in so much of this book and there wasn't any accountability. The wife was portrayed as nagging and demanding. The pastor even does a poor job. During a baseball game he prays and says, "Dear God, ...Well, Just whatever you can do." I was hoping for better role models from a parsonage family.

Although I have seen this book on the Christian bookstore shelves, I personally give this book a thumbs down!

WFW: Slow 2 Speak

Every family has its own "personality".     Every parent has their own "style" of parenting.    Our children know us and know our "style" and in that they find safety and security.

Recently, I really stepped outside my "style" when the boys and I were working on something and I was tired and really hurting from my fibromyalgia and something that was going on outside of our little family of four was really bothering me.     All of that had made me edgy (but no excuses).   

While kneeling in a tight corner, the boys were playing and Little Guy dove into the rocking chair slamming it into me.     I turned around and literally yelled at Little Guy.     Both guys froze in their tracks.     Big Guy sat down and said, "Mom.... you have never yelled at us.   Ever."       Little Guy didn't say anything.   I can't tell you how badly I felt.   

We all sat down and I had to apologize.    However, I knew that one thing was true.    The damage was done.    Do they still love me?    Yes.    But, did that one moment make a huge impression on them.    Definitely.    Uncontrolled anger leaves a mark, a permanent stain, that we can never erase.

I sat down in the floor, apologized and told the boys this story:

"There was a little boy with a bad temper. His father gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, to hammer a nail in the back fence. The first day the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence. Then it gradually dwindled down. He discovered it was easier to hold his temper than to drive those nails into the fence.  Finally the day came when the boy didn't lose his temper at all. He told his father about it and the father suggested that the boy now pull out one nail for each day that he was able to hold his temper. Most days he got to pull a nail but some days he had to pound a nail in.  The days passed and the young boy was finally able to tell his father that all the nails were gone. The father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence. He said, "You have done well, my son, but look at the holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same. When you say things in anger, they leave a mark just like the nails left a mark in the fence. It won't matter how many times you say I'm sorry, the wound is still there."

That verse is now marked in my boy's memory Bibles.     I hope that when they see it they don't remember their Mom's harsh words, but they remember my willingness to ask their forgiveness.

Epiphany

Today is the last day of Christmas. What? You have already taken down your Christmas decorations? You thought Christmas was over on December 25th? Oh, no! There was so much more.

First of all, December 25th starts the traditional "Twelve Days of Christmas". A lot of people think the Twelve Days are the days leading up to Christmas, but these are actually the twelve days between December 25th and January 6th.

Lots of people think the "Twelve Day of Christmas" is a nonsense song written for children while some people feel that it was written to remind people of Biblical significance. You can find "evidence" either way. However, I love the great reminders that they have associated with it.

1st Day - Partridge in a Pear Tree (Jesus Christ, Son of God)
2nd Day - Two Turtle Doves (Old and New Testament)
3rd Day - Three French Hens (Faith, Hope and Love)
4th Day - Four Calling Birds (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John)
5th Day - Five Golden Rings (Pentateuch: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy)
6th Day - Six Geese A-Laying (Six Days of Creation)
7th Day - Seven Swans A Swimming (Seven Gifts of Holy Spirit)
8th Day - Eight Maids A Milking (Eight Beatitudes)
9th Day - Nine Ladies Dancing (Nine Fruits of the Spirit)
10th Day - 10 Lords a Leaping (10 Commandments)
11th Day - 11 Pipers Piping (11 Apostles - does not include Judas)
12th Day - Twelve Drummers Drumming (Twelve Points of Apostles Creed)

The Twelfth Day of Christmas celebrates the arrival of the Three Wise men to present gifts to Jesus. Not at the manger, but at his home when he was a toddler. (Matthew 2:1-12) Traditionally you see three Magi in nativity scenes, probably from the fact of three gifts, even though in the Bible it never says how many Magi came.

Epiphany or Twelfth Night includes a big dinner along with the removal of Christmas decorations. We always include a King's Cake, remembering the visit of the Three Magi, in our celebration.

Happy Epiphany! I'm going to start taking down my Christmas decorations.

Welcome My Friend To Blogging!

One of my oldest friends has decided to start blogging. I was shocked when I received his email stating that he was starting a blog. Shaffer is the strong, silent type. He also has an amazing sense of humor and unbelievable talent. I hate, hate, hate that he lives so far away because he is an amazing illusionist. My boys have never had the chance to see him yet.

Shaffer has been encouraging me as an "unofficial" trainer in trying to get me started on a path to wellness and fitness. Shaffer conducts a program called CrossFit in his hometown and man is he getting ripped. If you want to know more about it, I know he will send you information about it.

Please visit his new blog and tell him hello:

Shaffer's Place

Tell him Deanna sent you - and she still can't do push ups!

It Was Easier

It was easier to give my cat a bath than to convince my boys that the holiday break is over and it really was time to go back to school.

Oh, the groaning, whining, complaining and begging for just one more day... and that was ME!

But we finally did it and the boys are back into the routine and the house is Q.U.I.E.T.

I turned on the television for a few minutes, but it just sounded like noise.

Even the cat is following me around wondering where the boys are and where all the activity went.

There is plenty to do: laundry, cleaning, taking down decorations... but none of it is as fun as having my boys at home.

I think this is why I hate January so much. After all the holidays and fun, it is like the Monday of the year! *blech*

Romance

Yesterday hubs and I had some precious date time together. Sometimes I read other people's blogs who have plenty of family who will constantly babysit for them and I get so jealous because we just don't have that option. However, that makes me enjoy our time together all the more... especially when my sweet husband does things to make our time special.

We have been married for almost 19 years. We think very much the same. Neither of us need to spend a lot of money or go to the most expensive places to have a lot of fun. We just want to be together.

When we left the house I wasn't sure what we were going to do for the evening. We had looked at the movie schedule and there wasn't anything on that either of us really wanted to see (or wanted to pay movie prices to see.) My niece arrived at 3:00 and we didn't have to come back home until we wanted to. So we had plenty of time to just relax and enjoy ourselves.

I am pretty sure I mentioned that hubs and I are now addicted to the "24" series. We have watched the entire first season and are now halfway through the second season.

When we got in the van I turned around and realized that hubs had taken the middle row seats of the van out and created a mini-theater for us. He even had the perfect spot scoped out for us to park and enjoy our movies under the...um... fog (no stars last night!).

Can I tell you my heart did a flip at realizing that he had put so much thought it doing something so sweet?

So after doing some walking around and shopping, eating a romantic meal of lobster ravioli and salmon to the sounds of Italian music, we went and snuggled together watching Jack.

Our movie theater was even mobile we so could take intermissions... to drive thru for ice cream or... well, whatever!

Seek and Find The Bloggy Friends

*Yawn!* I am spending the first few minutes of 2009 sitting here sipping some hot chocolate, watching my boys bake cookies and saying prayers for a blowout 2009! It is late, but the boys are determined to stay up all night. I keep pondering about Felicity in Australia and how she is probably tucked snugly in her bed.

Lots of people love to make resolutions on New Year's Day, but I prefer to sit back and think about all the amusing moments that God gave me in 2008. He amazes me how good He is to me -- He truly is My Prince of Peace!

I have some confessions to make. My blog was kind of young last January so I had no idea that I would find so many amazing bloggy buddies this year.

Since doing something for your health is kind of traditional, I guess I will eat my veggies! I also want to continue to find time to share with my weekly lunch girlfriends.

As silly as it sounds I want to expand my vocabulary in the next year. Little Guy has been studying Greek root words and it has challenged me. I think I will start with the words musing and oikology. Aren't those just great words? I know if I get stuck I can always call on The Scholastic Scribe for help. Whew!

No one is ever going to mistake me for Supermom, but I love my boys and I can't wait for another year of spoiling my guys. Maybe we will just spend time doing a lot of little nothings, splashing in mud puddles, or tromping through the 160 acre woods. I just want to enjoy my time because all too soon it will be time to cut the apron strings.

One of the greatest blessings of this past year was definitely my twin nieces! So precious and sweet and I can't wait to spoil them this coming year!

If 2009 is like 2008, we will definitely encounter some storm fronts. We know for sure it won't be all lavender and roses, but with God we will be blessed with grace. One of the greatest things about blogging is that no matter what we encounter, we can share our various ventings together!

I know you all probably think I am stuck on lunatic most of the time. At points, I have even been afraid you might notify Dr. Wifey to make me a special chemical (ha), but overall I think you just realized that I was just living my life to tell about it. Some of you have taught me that this year and I really appreciate it.

One of my hopes is that some of the people who visit this blog each day will get brave and comment instead of just continuing to view from the buzzard roost! You are welcome here and I would love to hear from you. Feel free to share your own family matters!

It is getting late and I am really wishing I could go soak in a hot tub. (Not to mention the boys are calling me the computer leach.) However, I guess I better get a few minutes rest because no matter what time the boys go to bed, they will be up bright and early and ready for some "Bizkits" and grits. If I oversleep, I might be in the doghouse!

Live. Love. Eat. in 2009!
Sincerely Me,
Deanna

P.S. Be careful out there during all this celebrating and don't forget! Support your local gunfighter!

P.S.S. One of the dangers of doing something like this is leaving someone out -- especially when typing so late in the night! If I accidentally leave someone out it was totally that... an accident!