Goodbye! - Spice Girls

This is funny. I got it from Heaven's Gift - a great blog - & hers was so funny that I had to try it myself. If you want to give it a go - see how it falls

1. Put your music on shuffle
2. For each question - press the next button to get your answer
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS!!
4. You're supposed to tag people....but I'm not - I'm a rule breaker....

So here we go!

IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY" YOU SAY?
"Hurt" - Christina Aguilera

WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?
"Because of you - DJ Remix" - Kelly Clarkson

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY?
"No me Ames" - Jennifer Lopez/Marc Anthony (Dont even know what that means? This could be funny or really bad!)

HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
"Dancing Queen" - Abba - OH YEAH BABY!!!!!

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
"Crazy in Love" - Beyonce

WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
"Stronger" - Brittany Spears...........oh, I like that one!

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
"Never Thought (that I could love) - Dan Hill...............hold on - I have to listen to this one through - it was mine & Ricky's song we danced to at our wedding....memories.....

OK - moving on

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
"Irreplaceable" - Beyonce

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
"I wont say I'm in Love" - Cheetah Girls (Oh, that's embarassing - YES - I have a Cheetah girl song on my player - its DISNEY!)

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
"Fantasy Remix" - Mariah Carey with ODB - HOLLA!

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
"Could've Been so Beautiful" - Tiffany

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LOVE?
"I who have nothing" - Jordin Sparks

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
"Big Girls dont cry" - Fergie

WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING? (Even thought I just passed that song)
"We got tonight" - Kenny Rogers/Sheena Easton

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
"Once Upon a December" - Anatasia soundtrack.....(could be appropraite - I was born in December)

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
"All my life" - KC & JoJo

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
"Tell Him" - Celine Dion & Barbra Streisand

WHATS THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN?
"I finally found someone" - Barbra Streisand & Bryan Adams

HOW WILL YOU DIE?
"Breaking Free" - High School Musical.....OK - this is really saying alot about me - YES I LIKE HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL SONGS TOO!!!!

WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET?
"What Goes Around Comes Around" - Justin Timberlake......WOW - that is scary true!

WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?
"Meet me half way" - Kenny Loggins

WHAT MAKES YOU CRY?
"Stick Wit You" - Pussycat Dolls

WHAT SCARES YOU MOST?
"What Kind of Fool" - Barbra Streisand......dang, didn't know I had so many Barbra songs....

DOES ANYONE LOVE YOU?
"Woman in Love" - Barbra Streisand..........SERIOUSLY? OK - I'm signing up for Barbra therapy!

IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME - WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?
"Listen" - Beyonce......another one that's crazy true!!!

WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW?
"My Immortal" - Evanescence.............

WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?
"Goodbye" - Spice Girls............How appropriate for the last question!

That was fun...sort of scary as to hitting the next button & seeing what is coming up.....& some of them were pretty good answers!

Play along....see if your a Barbra Streisand or Disney kids fan & didnt even know it!

Happy Wednesday

Veteran

So today is Veteran's Day. WOW - what a way to remember all the people who have sacrificed their lives for our country or have served our country or are STILL serving our country. I've been looking at pictures & videos of battles, & people in military uniform & names on walls of people who lost their lives for something they so whole heartedly believed in. These men & women put aside everything to dedicate themselves to a belief that our country is worth is - & it is a noble & worthy cause.

But especially when I saw the pictures of the Vietnam Veternas Memorial with all the names - it made me think.....how many of us are dedicated to our Lord & Savior like that? How many of us are willing to dedicate ourselves completely to a cause that is above any other cause? How many of us risk anything & everything to further God's Kingdom here on earth? How many of us are willing to die to ourselves for Him?

Today - I am thankful for Veterans of all kinds. Thankful for the military & anyone who serves to keep America the most wonderful place to live. And I'm thankful for the Spiritual Veterans - people who have sacrificed to keep the Word of God moving & alive!

May God Bless America!

Hungry?

Yesterday, we met our youngest for dinner & got some news from her - I'll share that at a later time...but we got to enjoy Texas Roadhouse. After a long morning of church & fellowship & just enjoying the day - by the time we got to the restaurant - I was starving! Like so hungry that my stomach was growling through my brain! We get there & there is a 35 -40 minute wait. That's only more torture as we stand there & smell all the yummy rolls & food going by to people who are already seated & enjoying their meals.

It just all made so much sense because I just came from listening to Joe teach our youth about being hungry for God. It was probably one of the best messages I've ever heard (Awesome job buddy!) on how we need to crave & be so spiritually hungry for the Lord & His word.

He made the point where we say we're "Starving" sometimes - just like I said I was earlier. But have we ever REALLY starved? Ever been so hungry where we could pass out - that our bodies couldn't function because we're not receiving the nutrition it needs? Odds are - no! And especially in a country where just like me - had a nice breakfast at 8:00 am & needed to eat again so badly at 2:00 - & could easily do it! And then be so stuffed in 30 minutes after sitting down that you're miserable! How many people are truly STARVING in this world & get one small plate of something to eat to last them all day? Oh - how blessed we are!

But do we have that same hunger for God? Do we crave what He has to say? Do we fill up on His word? Do we do whatever it takes to have our spirits filled with His nutrition? I tell you what - after hearing the message yesterday - I'll never look at hunger the same way again!

John 6:35 "Jesus replied, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again..."

John 4:31-34 "Meanwhile the disciples were urging Jesus, "Rabbi, eat something"

But Jesus replied, "I have a kind of food you know nothing about"

Then Jesus explained "My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me & from finishing his work."

Random

Just some random things that's been going on lately....

*My heart seems to be doing better. My head - not so much - I think my head is screaming "Where's the caffeine?"!!! And the voice its using is VERY LOUD! Anywhoooo - my heart isn't thumping as hard - just seems to be when I get stressed out & when I eat. Maybe acid reflux playing a role too? Its funny - today is the best my hearts done - my mom said, "Whats different from today than the others?" - I told her - I'm not at work....hey - do I need to quit my job? If only....

*I just finished a great book called "I Became a Christian & all I got was a Lousy t-shirt" that my friend Joe lent me. Man, its really got me inspired to want to help & reach out to people. They used the example of Mother Teresa in that book & every story I hear of that woman just amazes me & makes me wonder why there are more people like her in this world!!!

*I know I havent posted alot of knitting lately - I'm still doing it - but alot of the projects are hush hush - Christmas time is coming.....& more importantly - I've been working on a project for literally over 2 years....& I think this is the holiday its going to be ready for....more details to come on this....I have to say - its beautiful!!!!

*I'm finally getting started on Twilight!!! My book came in the mail today. I told some girls in my small group that I would go with them to the movie when it comes out but so badly wanted to read the book first - heard so much about it....so tonight, I'll be going into the land of Bella & what's his name....see - haven't read it yet!

*And saving the best for last - I cooked today! And let me tell you - I pulled it off. Really, not me - the crock pot. That makes cooking nice & easy!!! But Ricky had to work last Saturday & was bummed about it so we agreed to stay home all day today & I told him I'd make dinner. I threw a roast, potatoes & carrots & all the fixin's in the crock pot this afternoon at noon & at 7:00 - we had the best dinner. I even made a cake for dessert!!!! WOW - I can do it if I HAVE to.....

Proof: This is Ricky's plate - he even said - "Take a picture - no one will believe it"....is that a compliment or a cut up? Anyways - this picture makes me want to barf - food is touching!

Hope everyone is having a great weekend! Relax & enjoy it!

Opinions?

OK - obviously I made some changes.....but now, I'm not sure I like them - that's how I roll. I'm a very indecisive person. Anyways - what do you think? Like the pink? Like the 3 column look or is it too cramped? Do I need to go back to the 2 column? Be honest - nothing is going to hurt my feelings - unless its something like "Take the hideous picture off under ABOUT ME"....that would hurt a tad....

But let me know what you think....PLEASE

Peeves

The assignment from Mama's this week was to list 10 of your "Pet Peeves"......I thought - Oh, I dont have that many pet peeves & then I thought about it & realized - DANG, I've got alot of things that "Peeve" me....so here are 10 of them.

1. Drawers left open.....It drives me insane because my wonderful hubby, I swear, he's allergic to shutting drawers - & that goes for cabinets too. Anyone see that scene in Sixth Sense where the mom turns around & all the cabinets are open? Yeah - that's my house every day!!!

2. Having to pee.....that alone isnt the pet peeve part - its the worst possible timing of it. When I just get comfy in bed & all the dogs are in their assigned places - or when you just get on the road for a trip - or when you get in the middle seat down a long row in a play or a movie theater....hate that!

3. The rich getting richer.....it drives me insane that movie stars or millionaires get free stuff. They get an award for ACTING - & get millions for it & even more free things, but yet teachers & nurses get no recognition & no rewards....not fair!

4. Trees cut down.....I get so sad when I see tree chopped down for more homes or buildings. Where I live, deer are freaking out & are everywhere because there is no where for them to go. I literally saw a dead deer in a gas station this morning - they are running out of land of their own. It breaks my heart. Our neighbor cut down trees on our property (he thought it was his property) & I just cried my eyes out....

5. Not recycling....that last one leads me to this - when people dont care to recycle at all!!! You dont have to be Mr. or Miss Green....but do something!!!! Even if its recycling your paper - or turning down your heat - anything!!! If everyone would do SOMETHING....

6. Know it all's......It bothers me so bad when you tell someone something & they always have done it - & done it BETTER or they had that happen to them - but their experience was WORSE! Drives me nuts!

7. People who look down on others.....it drives me nuts when people think they're better than someone else. Or if they see someone who may have messed up & they think they could never do that & they're so much better....the attitude of "that sin is so much worse than any sin I would never do"....it just aint right!

8. In a rush.....whenever you are in a rush - doesn't it seem like EVERYTHING slows down? Gotta get to work - yep, there will be traffic. Need to print a report - the printer is out of ink. Need to check something on the Internet real quick - its down.....any time you are in a rush - things just never go as planned. I guess its a great reason to slow down!

9. Cruelty to animals.....how can someone hurt an animal? Seriously - how do you look at a puppy or kitten & not fall in love with it?

10. My final peeve for the day....Ricky....JOKING! Time.....it flies so fast! It bothers me that the older I get - the faster the time goes. Wasn't Thanksgiving & Christmas just like a month ago? What the heck - its here again! My grandma always told me that the older I'd get, this would happen - I was only 7-8 years old when she started telling me that & I never believed her....Oh Teenie - I believe you now!

What are some of your pet peeves? Anything make you want to pull your hair out?

An Ember

First, can I say...thank you all for your comments & prayers about my heart....you have no idea how that has comforted me!!!

OK - now onto a story I want to share...my dad sent this to me a few weeks ago - I kept it & re-read it & just wanted to let you all in on it....I think we all need to remember that we can always be thrown back into the fire.....

_________

A member of a certain church, who previously has been attending services regularly, stopped going. After a few weeks, the preacher decided to visit him.

It was a chilly evening. The preacher found the man at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire. Guessing the reason for his preachers visit, the man welcomed him, led him to a comfy chair near the fireplace & waited.

The preacher made himself at home but said nothing. In the grave silence, he contemplated the dance of the flames around the burning logs. After some minutes, the preacher took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember & placed it to one side of the hearth all alone, then he sat back in the chair, still silent.

The host watched all of this in quite contemplation. As the one lone ember's flame flickered & diminished, there was a monentary glow & then its fire was no more. Soon it was cold & dead.

Not a word has been spoken since the initial greeting. The preacher glanced at his watch & realized it was time to leave. He slowly stood up, picked up the cold, dead ember & placed it back in the middle of the fire. Immediately, it began to glow, one more with the light & warmth of the burning coals around it.

As the preacher reached the door to leave, his host said with a tear running down his cheek, "Thank you so much for your visit & especially for this fiery sermon. I shall be back in church next Sunday"

______________

I love that this message was given with no words - some times if people say too much, no one listens.....

But are you in need of getting back in the fire? Maybe its not even about attending church - do you need God to light your fire again? Are you feeling cold & dead? You can be engulfed with the heat of the Spirit again....all you have to do it let the Master throw you back into the fire!

Heart

I'm telling you - I move from one issue to the next....my leg - to my teeth - to now, my heart. I'm getting beat down - let me tell you! What's wrong? Well, I have what's called Mitral Valve Prolapse. I've known I have it since I was a youngster - in middle school I think. Normally, its not that bad.

Let me try to explain it in "easy heart language" - you have 4 valves - when blood flows in, the valve door shuts & then opens back up with each beat of the heart. Well, one of my valve doors do not shut all the way - so blood doesn't flow the way it should in there. What happens is too much blood will store up & cause my heart to stop for a second (or two or three sometimes) - its a very weird feeling....but then the blood will rush out & my heart will do a super hard beat to get all that blood out & then it tries to catch up to get back on rhythm. Its such an odd sensation when you feel your heart stop for a second - & that second feels like an eternity!

I used to have it really really bad when I was younger & even had to be on meds for it - I HATE medicine & after a few months, it made me feel so run down, I stopped it & my heart has been pretty decent. Of course, I'll have moments - but nothing where I needed the medicine.

So, now, its back - with a vengeance. Its beating all out of wacky again & hard & stopping & all that fun stuff. What makes me nervous is it started after that abscess in my mouth. I know I drink ALOT of caffeine (Diet Big Red is the best) so I've actually cut it out - 5 days now with NO caffeine!! .... let me tell you, I'm D-R-A-G-G-I-N-G!!!!! But my heart is still doing it....

So I call my cardiologist to get an appointment & make sure I'm not going to drop over dead......I tell them whats going on & they tell me... "OK, lets see....we can get you in on December 2nd".....DECEMBER 2nd?????? That's the earliest! They told me if I have any other problems, I can always go to the ER....so - now I wait...praying it eases up & these beats just get back to normal....

Its funny though because I dont think we think much of how our hearts beat until you have to focus on it. How amazing our bodies are made up - how God created them to work. If you have no problems with your heart, I ask you - take a minute - put your hand on your heart & feel each beat - realize that God put that there to keep you running & moving & growing. Realize all it does - it is the center of keeping your body functioning! It feels like its broken sometimes, it jumps with happiness, it longs for something more sometimes....your heart is an amazing gift from God. But I know that God holds my heart in his hands....in so many ways. Feel yours beating? Does God hold your heart as well?

First Vote!

This morning was exciting in our household....why? Because it is Election Day. Its not normally exciting, but today - it had a special feeling in the air. You ask again - why? ( I heard you out there....) well, today was Ricky's first time voting - EVER!!! He is 46 years old & has never voted before - he only got registered a few months ago when he had to get his license renewed. He never really cared before & he didnt consider it an important thing. My nagging about it didnt change his mind (shocker!) but I think it hit him when his daughters who are all grown up & registered to vote this election started talking to him about the importance of voting. They are the ones who made the difference.....funny how things change - the kids teach the parent!

For me - my parents instilled the importance of voting. I can remember being in the middle of an awesome street-gathered game of Kickball & my mom & dad would drive down & tell me, "Get in the car, we're voting"...I obviously was too young to vote myself, but my parents took me each time there was a vote to go with them. I saw how important it was to them & how serious they took it. I can remember sitting outside the booth (that was when they had the levels with the curtain drawn.....) & wondering what was going on in there.....I was so excited when I got registered at 18....I could finally vote myself!

So anyways, we get to the polls....I asked Ricky if I could take his picture for his first voting. I got a not so pleasant look & I said, I'm taking it anyways so the picture is of him walking into the school & he's getting his license out. Great shot - I know....but that's the best I could get. I kept threatening him that I was going to take a picture of him voting at the booth. He would have died of a heart attack!!!

But it was SOOOOOO crowded & busy. I normally get in & out at 6:30 in the morning in about 5 minutes. The lines were so long that it took us about 45 minutes! The whole time, I keep pumping Ricky up asking him how he was feeling - if he realized how important this is - all he kept saying: "I'm going to be late for work".....aahhh, the patriotic feeling oozing off of him.

So Ricky filled out his ballot & waited for me so I could show him what to do next...we took our ballot to the little paper eating machine (that's what I call it, the way it sucks it in) & his vote counted!

We were walking out & I asked him, "So, how does it feel - you just voted in the biggest election ever" - his response......"I probably just jinxed the poor guy by voting for him".....aaahh, there's my positive husband that I love!

Get out & vote everyone!!! Happy Election Day!

Believe or Follow?

My buddy Joe has lent me a book that I'm already devouring & getting some good stuff out of - but there was a point that I had to laugh about because Ricky & I get into this "discussion" all the time. The topic - believe or follow? You might be thinking, HUH?

Ricky likes to quote the famous scripture of John 3:16 that says "...that whosoever believes in Me will not perish but have ever lasting life"......OK - I'm not debating that's not true. But the "discussion" (like how I put those in quotes? - its such a more pleasant way of making arguing sound good) comes in where I say you need to do more than just BELIEVE. I feel like it goes further - you have to FOLLOW Christ - make a life style change - learn about His teachings - follow where He will lead you. This books says it perfectly:

Jesus didn't go around asking people to "believe" in him...instead, he asked people to FOLLOW him. According to Jesus, being a Christian is not as much about believing or behaving correctly as it is about traveling with him.

LOVE THAT!!!! I mean, I can "believe" I'm healthy but if I dont FOLLOW any sort of healthy eating, or exercise, or live a life like I'm healthy - is it true then? Gotta put that belief into action! I feel like that's what God calls us to do!

After all - Jesus says MANY times in the Bible - FOLLOW ME!

Luke 9:23 Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself & take up his cross daily & FOLLOW ME!"

Is your belief showing in your actions of Following Christ?

Halloween Pics

(WARNING - TONS of pictures...& only a small amount of the ones I took....be sure to look at them all....great costumes throughout!)

What a fun time....My sister-friend Lynn had a Fall Party with costumes as options & it was a great time seeing everyone who is always so stylish, break out in some alter personalites!!!! So let's get to some great pictures .

First - yes - I told you that Ricky was a Man-diva with his hair. So how do you work around the hair? Figure out what men have long hair....the options were a hippie, a rocker (which he is in every day life anyways) & an Indian....so there he is - as an Indian...& looking thrilled - right? Don't let him fool you - he had fun dressing up. But he kept saying "We're adults - I cant believe we're dressing up!" - I told him to shut you, I know he's really enjoying it!

So I had to join along & be an Indian as well....thought about being a Sheriff....but went with the hubs in the look.....

And here is Lynn as a Christmas Tree - since Christmas is her favorite Holiday...how clever is that? And that's her grandbaby Levi, who was Mario (he even had a little Mushroom in his carrier) & his cousin was Lugi (is that even how you spell it?) - looks like Levi is kissing his Nanny!

And then there was Carly, Lynn's daughter - who I LOVED!! She was Carlotta from "Phantom of the Opera".....her sister said she reminded her of Amy Winehouse though.....I dont think Amy Winehouse is ever that classy....her dress was beautiful!

My twin, Erica just found out she's pregnant a few weeks ago (say a little prayer for her!!!) so it was very appropriate that she came as a Full size Pregnant woman! It was nuts because it totally showed us what she's going to look at in just a few months!!!

And we had a little fairy & a big fairy in Chandra & her daughter. This too is Lynn's daughter & I'm telling you - she makes these tutu-s & they are GORGEOUS!!! If you are interested - visit her blog & you can order them - the color you want & everything. I'm totally getting one myself for next Halloween!!!! (And they look too cute around PG bellies too - Erica was attest to that!)

(There's the little fairy doing a "scary face" - you can't help but still think she's adorable!)

We also had Minnie Mouse along with Will from Pirates of the Carribean (their son was Jack Sparrow & I am so mad - I didnt get his picture!!) but they had a little SnowWhite with them as well!

And then there was another awesome family. Dad was "Mighty Mac" which is a whole other story in itself - he is going around to churches & he's a super hero that defends all that God stands for.....He's going to be BIG one day with this - remember you saw him here first!!!! His daughter is also part of the dynamic duo - but she went with a "Guitar Hero" this year. Loved her costume - especially because she is just a no make up, easy going - awesome!!! - girl - she freaked me out just wearing makeup! Mom was obviously a little like FOXY Cleopatra with the 70's look! And Sister there had changed from an Academy Award winner with a beautiful gown & an award to a comfy kiddo in these PJ's....

We also had a hippie - which is funny because he's a policeman now & to see him so "Peace & love" & with sideburns....it was great!!!! (This is Lynn's hubby!) Lynn made the bell bottoms...I would totally wear them now!

And the best costume that was freaking everyone out.....Ryan...as the Joker....He can do the voice & quote lines just like the movie....it was truly nuts to look over & see him just sitting there with that stupid smile on his face........He did so good putting this together too - got all the clothes at Goodwill....very resourceful....still very freaky!

Oh - can't leave out the tiny ones too - we had a Dorothy....I have a Dorothy costume myself - but I couldnt even compete with this cuteness so I didnt even bother.....

And there's also a Ninja - you can't see him - can you?

And here's some other pics....it was so much fun to hang around great friends & just laugh & enjoy each other.....Who says Halloween is for kids only!!!!

Finger Food!

These faces are hilarious!

Happy Halloween!

I love Halloween! Its probably in my top two holidays (Easter is my favorite)! I know some people dont like the idea of Halloween because they see the "evil" in it - but for me - its just fun dressing up. I dont think kids really think of it as an "evil" when they are little - they just want to put on some fun costumes & get some free candy - who doesn't like that? I can see & understand where there is a fine line where things can cross into a bad side of Halloween - but as long as parents are watching & in charge of events & parties & things kids are involved with - you can make Halloween whatever you want it to be.

Can you remember some of the costumes when you were little?

Of course, I remember the costume that everyone had back in the late 70's - the home made "Hobo" - just grab mix match clothes - put dirt on your face - instant costume! Being from a home where my dad has always loved horses & is a cowboy at heart - there is always accessories for the cowgirl look. My mom made me an angel costume one year for a Christmas play in church & that costume came in handy many times for Halloween (see - putting some good in the holiday)

Anyone remember those old plastic face costumes with the little sheet of plastic that had drawing on it? My parents didnt ever let me get one of these - my costumes were always home made - but for some reason, one year, I was Casper (maybe that's a time when my mom was down with her back surgery?) - but I can remember how HOT it would get under these masks. I literally was sweating & couldn't breath under it - & the eye sight through these things were HORRIBLE - come on - tell me you all remember these things too. If they still make these - they should be illegal - they are dangerous for kids!

(The picture really resembled exactly what the costume I had looked like - though that box looks way older than my years.....I'm not THAT old!)

So have fun tonight with your little ones - make the Halloween event fun for them - sneak some of the candy out for yourself!

I'm looking forward to tonight myself - Ricky & I are getting dressed up ourselves for a Fall Party with some friends......I'll snap some pictures & post them up later.....I cant believe Ricky's actually going to dress up - I had to find him a costume that would work with his hair.....how "man diva" is that?

And here's what the twins are going to be this year. I can't believe Sophia isn't a Princess & Madi isn't Spiderman....see - Halloween is the time to break out of the box & be whoever you want to be!


And Julie said that Isaac will be dressed as a frog tonight.....cant wait for those pictures myself! Isaac has teeth now - will Julie let him gnaw on any of that chocolate? Or will mom & dad be taking advantage of his cuteness & the stash he's going to get? Hmmmm.....

Happy Halloween everyone!!!! Be safe!

Pledge

The cutest thing happened to me yesterday - my cell phone rings & I can see its my brother's number. I pick it up only to hear little voices saying "The Pledge of Allegiance" - the whole thing! It was the sweetest thing ever! They learned it in their pre-school & now my brother said every time they see a flag - they break out in their Pledge........these girls are growing up so fast!

Doesn't Sophia look thrilled? - I'm digging her hat though! Madi is being so patriotic!

Temptation

I love sweets....who doesn't? Actually I did know a girl who didn't care for chocolate. I thought she was a little crazy personally! But when we have candy around the house - especially in times of Halloween - which is stupid because where we live, on a country road, we get not one trick or treater - but we should get candy - JUST IN CASE! (We've been in this house 8 years - still not one - but this may be the year!!!) - sorry....but when there is candy in the house, I am so tempted. To walk right by it & not grab "just one"....its so hard.

And then I think of other temptations in life that we face. Are you ever tempted to yell at someone because they cut you off in the road & act like there is nothing worse in life that what just happened? Ever give them the sign that "they are number 1"?

Ever been tempted to say something smart back to someone because you feel like they smarted off to you first? Ever been tempted to take a pile of post-its from work because they'll never miss them? (I'll be the first to say I've done that - without even thinking....I'll be in a rush & writing something & its time to go & I just take it with me as I'm writing down the steps....). Ever been tempted to fall along with a crowd even though you dont agree with what they are doing?

The thing is, there are so many temptations in our life - big & small - they are everywhere. Alot of times, we fail when we get tempted. And how many times, do you see we set ourselves up for temptation? Just like the candy in my house - I shouldnt even HAVE it there - there's really no reason! And normally, I fail at the temptation of it......

What I noticed reading my Bible this morning - in Matthew 4:1

"Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil."

WHAT? He went there TO BE tempted - he knew what was going to happen!?? And look at that - he went anyways & the best part - the devil didnt succeed in any of his temptations!!! WHOO - HOOO!!!

I love all the stories of Jesus in the gospels - what an example of how we should live! But I see Jesus doing this just so thousands of years later, we can read it & see, when we are faced with temptations.....we CAN overcome them!!! Can you imagine how mad the devil was that he couldn't tempt Jesus? Love it!! Stupid devil!!

Roses!

AAAHHH - look what I just got.....what a sweet hubby! (Sorry pics not great - phone camera)

Happy Anniversary!

Wow - today, I've been married 13 years!!! (And I actually had to check my calculator to make sure that was the year we were on) Where does the time go?

Its so fun to think back on your wedding day. The build up to it - finding the perfect dress - having fun at showers - seeing all your family - hanging out with your friends - it all comes together for those few minutes of a wedding ceremony. For our 13th anniversary - I'll let you in on how Ricky proposed - it was so cute.

It was Christmas Eve 1994 & we had been dating for over 2 years at this point (3 years by the time we got married) & Ricky took me to the jewelry store to let me pick out a Christmas present - how fun is that!! I ended up picking out this beautiful gold band that was plain, but very pretty. He told me I couldnt get it until the next day for Christmas - OK - I can wait a day. So I went to my home & got ready & then ended up meeting up with Ricky later that night - we would have Christmas Eve with his friends. I talked them all into going to my church for the midnight service. Ricky at this point was not a church goer, nor his friends - so I was excited they came with me.

We're sitting in the church - it was beautiful - nothing but candle lights & just the whole Christmas atmosphere - its midnight - its crowded with families celebrating Jesus.....then, we get to the point where we all have candles & the person on the end lights the candle & passes the light down to the next & to the next.....I got my candle lit & as I turned to Ricky to light his candle - he slid my engagement ring on my hand & asked me to marry him!!!!!!!!!! It was so sweet!!!!!

We got to Ricky's home with his friends & I immediately called my parents. I said, "MOM - I got a ring" - she said, I know.....she thought I was talking about the ring I got to pick our for Christmas. I told her - No! I got THE ring!!! It took her a few minutes to get it! I asked Ricky if he had it planned & he said no - that's why he took me to the jewelry store to pick out something - he had no idea he was going to do it, but he said he just felt it was the right moment when we were in church. Did he carry the ring around waiting for the right moment always? I dont know.

But its funny because I loved my ring & he said that he originally had another one & he took me past a window that had the exact one in there & he said I looked at it & said, "That is the ugliest ring I have ever seen!" - he said his heart dropped & he took it back the next day & got this one. Well - he did a good job on this one & he refuses to show me what the original one looked like.

So here we are after 13 years of marriage - 16 years of being together.......ups & downs - tears & laughter - good times & bad....I guess that's what marriages are made of - sticking together through it all.

Happy Anniversary Dude-y!!!

(Dang - we look YOUNG in those pictures!)

Just listen

....no words to explain....just listen to this little boy & a call he made.....

Not much

Wouldnt it be great if it didn't take much to get our faith & our belief stirred up? I thought of this as I was reading in John. In the first chapter, Jesus finds Philip & tells him to follow him. Philip has to run & find his friend Nathanael. As the buddies are chatting it up - Nat (I'll nick name him....I like nick names) is even making fun of Philip saying that this can't be the person that Moses & the prophets talked about. He even makes the comment that nothing good can come out of Nazareth (vs 46)

So here comes Jesus strolling up.....He makes a comment about Nat "Here comes an honest man - a true son of Israel" (vs 47) - Nat is surprised & asks Jesus how he knew that about him.

"Jesus replied, "I could see you under the fig tree before Philip found you" (Vs 48)
Its so funny - Nat's reaction right after that (vs 49) - "Nathanael replied, "Teacher, you are the Son of God - the King of Israel!"

Jesus asked him, "Do you believe all this just because I told you I had seen you under this fig tree?" (vs 50)

YEP.....that's all it took....not much for his faith & belief to kick in.....isn't that awesome!

I think of people who have witnessed miracles, seen the beauty that God has created, see daily works in someone's life - how God loves someone even if they reject him - & yet, they still turn away from Him. But our buddy Nat - it didn't take much for him to know who he was talking to!

That we would always feel the pull of God in our hearts easily & openly in our lives....

Knitting & an award

I'm so excited. I finally got in the mail a blanket from the Charity knitting group - which is called the Midwest Oddball Baby Blanket Knit a long - which takes the Great Lake States (& I didnt know that included Indiana???) - but no matter - the blanket came in the mail. I'm the next in line to knit on it. The picture is the blanket I receive & I will be adding on 4 inches of another color. I'll post a picture of what I add to it when its finished - almost done. That's the benefit of being on vacation - able to knit alot.

But it was so fun because I had some goodies in there too - Tracie sent me 2 skeins of yarn, a note pad & a cute little card - how fun is that? I'm going to be working on 2 more blankets - so now that I'm involved - can't wait to get them in the mail!!!!

I also wanted to take the time to thank my blogging friend at Be thou a Knight who sent me an award. I'm excited about this one because it says I'm Kreativ!!!!! I love getting fun Blogging awards!

I have to name 6 things that make me happy & then pass it on to 3 fellow bloggers....

So, the 6 things:

1. Holding Isaac in my arms

2. Awesome worship music & singing with other Christians...such a neat feeling

3. A good hair day

4. Hearing people laugh

5. Scrabble matches

6. A knitted project that comes off the needles & turns out perfect!

Who do I pass this on to?

I have to send it first to my friend Lynn who is the most creative person I know in so many ways - in writing with her words, in her crafty life of knitting & sewing & everything she does - she COMPLETELY deserves this award

Then I have to give it to my friend Chandra who is so creative in her new job of making tutu's - check them out - they are adorable!!! I'm still saying I'm getting one myself!

And finally - I'm sending this award to Auburnchick who is another amazing knitter & is the most generous person I know with her knitting. She's constantly making gorgeous projects & sending them to friends & family & to people she doesnt even know.

So all 3 of these ladies for sure deserve this award - Congratulations! And thanks again Lianna for the award!

Vacation Pics

OK - I wont go on & on because I know alot of people dont enjoy looking at others vacation pictures, but I have to say something about it - it was just a great time watching how big our grandbaby has grown & what a handsome little man he is! He's such a little flirt! So put aside all the dental problems & migraines & let's focus on some good!

We got to our cabin - which the trip is supposed to take about 5 hrs - with a baby & traffic in Pigeon Forge & Gatlinburg - it took us about 8 hrs!!!! The cabin was beautiful & homey & had plenty of room for Isaac to crawl around & get his energy out!

This is my son in law, Steve, doing his Forrest Gump impression. They have a "Bubba Gump Shrimp" which has the BEST shrimp EVER! Talk about yummy! And it was so fun because we were in there when it was 80's hour (which was between 2-4...hmmm - 80's HOUR? - go figure) Isaac was dancing to the music & loved it - his Nanny is going to teach him the best of 80's music - maybe throw in a few 80's dance step....do they make Parachute pants for babies?

We rode a skylift up to the top of a mini-mountain & enjoyed the view. Isaac slept all the way up but it didnt take long for him to enjoy the view himself. It was perfect weather - in the 60's in the day, not a cloud in the sky & the mountains were starting to change colors - it was another reminder of how awesome God's creations are!

See - he wasn't about to miss out - didn't care about the mountains - too busy watching the people!

There were plenty of pumpkins & fun Fall decorations so Isaac got a great photo shoot! He drew crowds! People stopped & were talking about taking pictures of him themselves because he was too cute - see, I'm not biased!




We had some awesome meals & Isaac was getting into the pancake action sitting next to his mommy. Everyone wanted to drive up to the top of the Smokies. I've been up there a countless number of times & with my headache & my ability to get car sick too easily - right after breakfast didnt sound like a good time for me to travel. So I stuck behind in Gatlinburg by myself to shop while they ventured to the top of ole' Smokie. The picture above is one of the little areas I found where it was all decorated & it was so fun in there. Being by myself - I dont meet a stranger. I shopped for awhile - found a discounted book store & walked out with 10 more books & then found a bench in this area. I then had some neat conversations with some amazing people while sitting here. People are just so nice & the world seems like a small place sometimes. It was fun having this time to myself - much better than throwing up in the car.....glad to meet up with my family when they ventured down out of the mountains.

Of course, boys will be boys (& I guess girls will be girls - Julie & I spent a good half day shopping at an outlet mall) & they wanted to race some cars. Ricky is #2 - with Steve coming out of the gate last. They hit the Nascar center. They were such losers!!!! Literally - they came in last & 2nd to last!!! Of course, it was the cars fault....of course!!!!

We had to stop & eat at the Apple Barn in Pigeon Forge - a tradition. There was an hour & A half wait (which was pretty good) & I just love this picture. Isaac got to crawl all over & just enjoyed himself so much outside.

This was the last morning before we were leaving in front of our cabin. I cant even put all the fun times down - so many. I laughed so hard my stomach hurt at times - enjoyed Julie & Steve so much & of course, made me so sad to see Isaac leave again. We ate so much food that Ricky & I are probably going to fast the rest of the week. Besides the small yucky stuff with my dental woes - it was really a perfect trip......and plans are already in the works for next year!!!!