All Good Things...

.............must eventually come to an end.  Well not all good things, but I think you get the picture.

I feel, very sadly, that this little blog of mine has run its course.  This is officially my last post. 

I started this blog mainly as a way for my family to keep up with all the day to day happenings of a certain red head.  Then the blog allowed me to share the "Johanna Journey" with the world.  This blog and all of the people that I have been so fortunate to meet through has been a wonderful source of therapy and inspiration during the past 18 months.  To all of ya'll out there that have ministered to our family, you have no idea how the Lord has used you.  I couldn't begin to express the love and appreciation that I have for every kind word and prayer said on behalf of our family.  Thank you for walking our road with us.  Please continue to remember our family as you pray.

If you wish to still "hang" with me online, shoot me a friend request on Facebook(if not I totally understand).  Just be sure you tell me who you are or how I might know you.

To all my friends, I send virtual Goodbye Love(a Clayton tradition when we leave absolutely anywhere).

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.  

Jeremian 29:11

Thanks for an amazing ride!!!!!!!!!!!

Random Update

• I'm loving school.  Right not I'm calling myself a "wannabe EMT/Paramedic"
• Pumpkin Spice drinks are back for a limited time at Starbucks
• The previous makes me very very happy and more than a little thirsty
• I should probably be studying about blood instead of blogging
• I went to an aerobics class with my SIL tonight and then we immediately went to dinner afterwards.  Brilliant!
• Going to the fair on Friday(I'm way more excited about this than any 28 year old should be)
• Clayton knows all of his primary colors by sight and name
• And a whole bunch of the not primary ones too(I can't remember what they're called)
• His favorite color is apparently brown, at least that's what he tells me
• I forgot Grandparent's Day.  I'm sorry.  Happy Grandparent's Day to Tram, Bobba, Mawmaw, Pawpaw, Grandmother, Grandaddy, Mawmaw Cable, and Pawpaw Cable.  OOPS!!
• I finally figured out how to load pictures to FB successfully.  I'm an overachiever I know
• We're swiftly approaching Johanna's 1st BDay and Chad and I have something totally awesome planned(I really hope it works out)
• I think I can upgrade to a new Blackberry very soon(I certainly hope so, I'm really envious of Chad's)

9/11/2001

I know I haven't posted a lot lately.  However, I could not let today pass without pausing to remember.  September 11th 2001 was the first time in my life I truly remember feeling vulnerable and unsafe.  I was horrified that an event like this could happen in our country.  And then I was amazed at the way New Yorkers and then Americans banned together to make sense of the attack.  I don't feel like anything has necessarily changed in the heart and lives of Americans as a whole.  But for me, I am more thankful to live in the USA now than I was prior to this incident.  I'm always heartbroken on 9/11.  So many families were and are touched by these tragedies. 

 
2,998 victims:
266 lives aboard the 4 airplanes
2,229 lives in, around, or near the World Trade Center
23 Police Officers
343 Firefighters and Paramedics
125 Civilians and Military Personel at the Pentagon
19 Terrorists

Operation Iraqi Freedom: 4,404 lives of American Soldiers
Operation Enduring Freedom:  1,257 lives of American Soldiers

Please take the time today to remember these families.  If you're in touch with our Heavenly Father, remember to pray for these families today, remember to pray for our soldiers that fight for our freedom everyday, remember to pray for our rescue workers and police officers that fight for our lives every day, remember to pray for our nation as a whole, remember to pray  for the families of the 19 terrorists too(they need Salvation just like we do), and remember to say a prayer of Thanksgiving for the privilege to be an American Citizen(if you are).

WOOHOO!!!!!

It's that time of year again.  Football season. 

It's time for this:

Aren't you excited?

Southern Gentleman

I saw this article on another blog and just LOVED it.  I can't tell you how many times I've said this same thing.


Ways to Charm Her
Southern Living, July 2009
By Amy Bickers
“Want to impress a Southern girl? Just think “What would my grandfather have done?”

Number one: We still expect you to give up your seat for a lady. On a bus, at a bar, on a train. . . we don’t care where you are. Unless you are at a restaurant and the only lady in sight is the one taking your order, stand up.

We still expect you to…

1. Stand up for a lady. Actually, this doesn’t just involve chairs.
2. Know that the SEC has the best football TEAMS IN THE NATION. Big 12 fan? Hmm, perhaps you should keep walking.
3. Kill bugs. Delta Burke as Southern belle Suzanne Sugarbaker on Designing Women said, “. . .Ya know, when men use Women’s Liberation as an excuse not to kill bugs for you. Oh, I just hate that! I don’t care what anybody says, I think the man should have to kill the bug!”
4. Hold doors open.  This goes for elevator doors too.
5. Fix things or build stuff. I once watched in awe as my stepfather built a front porch on the house he shares with my mother. He knew just what to do, cutting every notch, hammering every nail. The project was complete by sunset.
6. Wear boots occasionally. Not the fancy, l-paid-$l,000-for-these kind. We’re talking about slightly mud-crusted, I-could-have-just-come-in-from-the-field boots.
7. Take off your hat inside.
8. Grill stuff.
9. Call us. If you want to ask us out, don’t text and don’t e-mail. Pick up the phone and use your voice.
10. Stand when we come back to the dinner table. ”Just a little half-stand is enough to make me melt,” my friend Stephanie says.
11. Pull out chairs. Wait, that’s not all. Scoot them back in before we hit the floor.
12. Pay the tab on the first few dates. ”If you ask me out, you pay,” Stephanie says. “If I ask you out, you should still pay.” Listen, guys, it’s just simpler this way.
13. Don’t show up in a wrinkled, untucked shirt. Care about your appearance but not too much. Don’t smell better than we do. Don’t use mousse or gel. You shouldn’t look like you spend more time in front of the mirror than we do.

We’ll leave the long list to the girl who falls in love with you.

This is so true.  LOVE IT!!

Back to School

EMS classes started on Tuesday, and I'm LOVING them.  I must admit that going back to college has been somewhat of culture shock.  It's fun though and awesome for my sense of humor.

Something else I didn't expect was that my classes would be as physical as they are this early into things.  I've known that EMS is a physical and demanding type of work but I had no idea that we would be already be training with stretchers, backboards, and mannequins.  I will NOT let that stretcher get the best me.  I don't care how sore my hamstrings, biceps, and triceps are.  I'm SO thankful that Jesse dared me to that 5K and that I am into an exercise routine.  I think I'm gonna need it.

Clayton and I are having to adjust to a new routine.  I have to be up by 5:30 and gone from the house by 6:40/6:55(depending on the day).  That's crazy early for us.  I've always had to be at work at 9am or later so getting up this early is also a form of culture shock.

Because I got up at 5:30, then lifted the stretcher with 160lb mannequin about 1,000 times today, walked/ran 2 miles, and then hung out with my boys for a while I'm tired.

And to all a good night.

PS
Last week when I posted about Qing, the questions was asked about where I found the coupons that I uses.  There are lots of places to get Q's but the 2 that I use the most are the Internet(and I don't get a whole lot from the web) and the Sunday paper.  The trick to the Sunday paper is getting the absolute larges one available in your area.  I buy the Charlotte Observer.  And for those of ya'll that don't know where I live, Charlotte NC is 80 miles from where I live.  Our local paper is a waste of time for Q's.  If(and that's a big IF) they even have Q's it's NEVER more than one packet.  And when I buy papers on Sunday(actually Chad does this while I wait in the car, SWEET!), I buy 3.  I can stock up well enough for our family with 3 Q's for any particular item.  I hope that helps.

Random Update

Here's a list of what we accomplished/participated in this weekend.  It was a marathon, but they all are.

• Our youth dug up(I really don't know how else to say that) potatoes for a children's home in TN.
• Helped clean the fellowship hall at church.
• Cookout(the restaurant)
• Put together a a cabinet for our new Backpack program at church(actually Chad and another guy(THANKS!!) did this while I did something else)
• Unpacked all the backpacks(I'm so very excited about this program we're privileged to be a part of).
• With Mom's help made the bulletin board for church.
• Went to Blowing Rock with my brother and SIL.  
• Resisted the urge to buy a Coach bag.
• Went to Makoto's for the first time.  Loved it!
• Held a red head for the entire dinner because he FREAKED OUT during the fire portion of the show.  Seriously, he was so over it.
• Resisted the urge to buy a Coach bag for the 2nd time in 1 day.  It was difficult but somehow I managed.
• Got really confused in the Van Heusen outlet.  I buy most of Chad's clothes so men's clothes aren't a strange thing to me, but this store always stresses me out.  I think I had hives when we left.
• Walmart

Sunday

• Church(I had to give a mini presentation about the Backpack program, a little less stressful than the Van Heusen store).
• Held a sleeping boy all the way through service.  SMILE!
• Lunch
• Worked on Backpack program again.  Actually, Mom did the work and I just agree with her calculations.  That's how we roll.
• Caramel Frappe'
• Youth(with some awesome white chocolate covered pretzels)
• Nursery.  We had the most amazing kids on Sunday night.  They were so much fun.  If nursery could only be that easy every time I was in there.
• Cookout(again the restaurant)(It's new, can you tell?)
• Walmart(again, GROWL)
• Home
• Bed

That's pretty much an average weekend for us.  Most people look forward to Saturday, we look forward to Monday.

On another note, school(EMS classes, finally) start tomorrow.  I'm excited.  I have my backpack packed, lunch box ready, and pencils sharpened.  I'm such a big nerd.  There's a million things on my to-do list for today so I'm outta here.  I wonder if I could talk Chad into a new outfit for school?

Jesse and Amy Teaser

We went to a wedding at the beach.  After the nuptials we pranced around the beach and I was able to take some pics of my favorite brother and my favorite brother's wife.  I've been hanging on to these about 6 weeks before I've had time to play with them and edit them.  But now they're finished.  And now I have to work on the pics I took of Mom and Dad.  I'm really slow at editing.  I'm still learning.  Anyway, J and A are the 2 most photogenic people I think I've ever known(except for Clayton of course).  They always take a great picture.  That makes my job really easy.

And my most favorite one of all.  Love this next pic.  It just highlights who they are.

Love you guys!

$38.70

One night last week after one of the Bible Conference services I was talking with a couple of absolutely adorable ladies about how couponing works for our family.  I told them our budget and what I spend every week and how I did it.  After mulling it over I thought I would share with everyone how this Qing thing works.

My Budget:
$60/week
*That $60 includes our food, soda/pop(or whatever ya'll want to call it), diapers and wipes, tolietries, and cleaning supplies.

Yes I stick to this almost every single week.  On the occasion that Harris Teeter(because they're the only store in my area that does this kind of thing) is having a Triple Coupon or Super Doubles event I will throw the budget out the window so that I can stock up on things at the lowest possible price.  After all, a budget(which is a handy thing to have) is like the speed limit.  It's more of a suggestion that a requirement.  Don't tell our local law enforcement that I said that.  And yes I do stick to the speed limit.  Mostly.  Moving on. 

On a normal week I will only spend about 3-4 hours total clipping, searching, and shopping for the deals for my family.  And I do this with a 2 year old red head asking "What's that?" about every single thing.  I normally only go to 1 grocery store(BiLo doubles all the time) and 1 drug store(CVS is my personal fave because the day time cashier is really nice and easy to work with).  I do check the sales papers that come in the mail just in case something awesome is on sale that I don't want to pass me by.  And I do use a couple different of websites to help me with the sales and Q matchups.  I use Southern Savers and Money Saving Mom.  These are just the 2 that I like.  I also rarely buy meat at full price.  I buy chicken breast(and we don't eat a lot of chicken breast because Chad doesn't really care for it, we'll blame being raised on a poultry farm) only when I can get it for $4 or less a pack.  And I normally buy the rest of the meat we eat once it has been marked down.  I don't have a problem with that because I'm gonna throw it in the freezer as soon as I get home.  But if you don't want to buy marked down meat then just watch the sales for the price that you would consider the best price for your budget.  One last thing, I normally have a "go-to" price for items that I regularly buy.  For example, $2.50 is the most I want to pay for laundry detergent, and $1 is the most I'll pay for any type of cleaner.  Just know what you're willing to pay to determine if something is a good price or not.  Stocking up at the best price is the best way to make sure that you don't run out of something and over pay for it.

Whew.......that was a lot.

• 3 Dt. Mtn Dew 2 Liters(a necessity because I was out)
• Large Beef Roast
• 5 boxes of Chicken Helper
• 2 boxes of Eggo Waffles
• 3 jars Ragu SpaghettiSauce
• 2 Lysol Wipes
• 2 Lysol Toilet Bowl Cleaners
• 2 Lysol Liquid Cleaners
• 3 Seventh Generation Cleaners(different varieties)
• 3 Sun Laundry Detergents
• 2 Wishbone Dressings
• 1 HT brand Honey(for homemade granola....YUMMY!)
• 3 Kraft Homestyle Macaroni and Cheese
• 1 Bounty Towel
• 1 Peter Pan Peanut Butter
• 1 gallon of whole Milk

I paid $38.70 for everything in the picture.  That's down from $98.96.  If I would have paid $98.96 for the above products I probably would have had a mini-stroke in the check out line.  But $38.70 seems reasonable.

You can do this.  It really is worth the time and effort to save a little jingle.

:)

2 John Deere Tractor Books
1 large stuffed cow
1 stuffed purple lion(I don't think you can see it in this picture)
1 Superman Monster Truck
1 Mack Truck
1 John Deere wanna be tractor with farmer(that looks more like a jockey instead)
1 broken silver monster truck(we still have both pieces because he plays with each piece independently)
1 Tonka truck

And 1 sleepy boy with a head cold(the reason for all that drool) that decided turn around backwards in the bed.

And my helper.  She loves this boy.  I think she would sleep in the bed with him if we would let her.  But as you can see I don't hink there's room left for anything else.  Soon, whenever we find one I like, he's going to graduate to a twin/bunk bed.  Maybe then Emma can have the desires of her heart and sleep in the bed with her boy.

(I tried to do a lot of different edits to these pics but somehow the pics seem to lose their integrity.  That's why they might look kinda sloppy.  And I was taking pictures in the dark with only the light from the hallway.)

A Funny Thing Happened.............

...........on the way to my life.

Chad and I were talking on Saturday about how differently our lives have turned out from what we imagined they would be when we were children/teenagers.

I remember wanting to have a great education and a successful career doing something fantastic by the time I was 30.  And I remember that once when we were dating he told me that his big plans for life were to be a husband and a father.  He wanted a working farm with a wife and children.

We are so far from that "dream" that it makes me laugh.  But we have so much more than we ever dreamed.

Granted I'm just now seriously pursuing a fantastic education.  And eventually I'll be doing something fantastic.  And Chad has finished(almost) his fantastic education.  We don't have a farm(and I for one am thankful for that) and we only have one child here with us.  We wouldn't have thought that we would have had to send a daughter to heaven before us.

But we're content with where we are.  We're excited with what God has given us and the things He's doing for our family.

"For I know the thoughts I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end."  Jeremiah 29:11

(and really what's not to love)

What is the Gospel?

I always hesitate to recommend a book that I have read or am currently reading.  I have a variety of different reasons for this.  Others may not like what I read.  Or someone may get an incorrect perception of who I am or what I believe because of something I'm reading.  But I'll shoot this out here.  I can and do read almost any type of book.  I can read after anyone and take the parts that I like and leave the parts that I don't.  Eat the corn and throw away the cob, so to speak.

All of that rambled mess to say this.  I'm currently reading "What is the Gospel?" by Greg Gilbert.  It's one part of the 9Marks series.  I'm about half way through it and I love it.  It was a free digital download at Amazon.  And Chad received it as part of his loot when he went to T4G back in April.  I rarely, if ever, venture into his world of preacher books because I'm afraid they will be over my head.  And a lot of times they are.  But I decided to give this one a try(possibly, probably because it was free).

The basic theme of the book is that we as Christians(myself included) often get the message of the Gospel wrong.  We always portray God as a god of love, and He is, but never as a god of justice and wrath, which He is.  I know this is getting lengthy but the following is an excerpt from the beginning of Chapter 2.

"Let me introduce you to god.  (Note the lowercase G.)


You might want to lower your voice a little before we go in.  He might be sleeping now.  He's old, you know, and doesn't much understand or like this "newfangled" modern world.  His golden days-the ones he talks about when you really get him going-were a long time ago, before most of us were even born.  That was back when people cared what he thought about things, and considered him pretty important to their lives.


Of course all that's changed now, though, and god-poor fellow-just never adjusted very well.  Life's moved on and passed him by.  Now, he spends most of his time just hanging in the garden out back.  I go there sometimes to see him, and there we tarry, walking and talking softly and tenderly among the roses....


Anyway, a lot pf people still like him, it seems-or at least he manages to keep his poll numbers prteey high.  And you'd be surprised how many people even drop by to visit and ask for things every once in a while.  But of course that's alright with him.  He's here to help.


Thank goodness, all the crankiness you read about sometimes in his old books-you know, having the earth swallow people up, raining fire down on cities, that sort of thing-all that seems to have faded in his old age.  How he's just a good-natured, low-maintenance friend who'll really easy to talk to-especially since he almost never talks back, and when he does, it's usually to tell me through some slightly weird "sign" that what I want to do regardless is alright by him.  That really is the best kind of friend,  isn't it?


You know the best thing about him, though?  He doesn't judge me.  Ever, for anything.  Oh sure, I know that deep down he wishes I'd be better-more loving, less selfish, and all that-but he's realistic.  He knows I'm human and nobody's perfect.  And I'm totally sure he's fine with that.  Besides, forgiving people is his job.  It's what he does.  After all, he's love, right?  and I like to think of love as "never judging, only forgiving." That's the god I know.  And I wouldn't have him any other way.


Alright, hold on a second....Okay, we can go in now.  And don't worry, we don't have to stay long.  Really.  He's grateful for any time he can get."

That might seem far fetched when you read it.  But I'm afraid that it's really not that far out of perspective anymore.  While this is comical in some respects, it's also heartbreaking.  Chad and I have had this conversation so many times that I don't have enough fingers to count that high.  And I have had to repent(many times) of my incorrect perspective of God.   In our part of the world(Bible Belt), almost everyone, when you ask them, will tell you they know who God is.  But, I'm afraid that a lot of us(myself included) have it wrong.  And again I have to repent.

I'm interested to see how this book finishes up.  I'll probably finish it today while I'm at the gym.

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believeth on Him, should not perish but have everlasting life.  For God sent not His son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.  He that believeth on him is not condemned;  but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."

John 3:16-18

MIA

I've been absent and for that apologize.  This week is our our church's annual Bible Conference.  That means church services in the am and pm.  With meals thrown in for good measure.  It's a fantastic week.  And for me personally, it couldn't have come at a better time.  I'm lovin' it.'

See ya next week when life won't slow down, it will just be something different.

Free and Easy

What do you do when your plans change and your day is suddenly free and easy?  Why you go to the park and play on the playground and in the water.

This child takes his play very seriously. 

And this sign.  I know this isn't the intended meaning, but when I saw this all I saw was "Welcome Hags".  And I had a great little laugh. 

Update(Bullet Style)

• Currently we're watching the movie "Cars" for the 5th time this week.  This is Clayton's newest obsession.  Chad and I let him watch something of his choosing first thing in the morning and then the TV's off for most of the day.  I'm not a TVaholic(like my husband) so I don't need the TV on all day.  I would much rather have my nose in a book.  That I could do all day long. 
• I finished the summer semester yesterday.  Anatomy is all finished.  It was difficult but I survived and was pleased how the semester ended.
• EMS classes start in just over 2 weeks.  I'm even more excited about that.  
• Clayton's Tram got him a "Mack"(from Cars) this week.  It was the sweetest thing to see how patient he was for this toy.  Anyway he's carried it around all week.  Too cute.
• The youth boys that we work with are going camping tonight.  The girls are not.  This girl doesn't prefer to camp.  Instead we're going to shopping tomorrow.  Way more awesome than camping.

That's about it.  Enjoy your weekend.

New Claytonisms

• Hook It         = Anything that should be, or already is attached to a trailer(Clayton's most favorite thing in the world)
• Thanks          = It's really cute, and he says it all the time, even when he should be saying You're Welcome
• Welc             =   On the occasion that he does remember to say You're Welcome this is how it comes out
• Hoink            = That's the sound a pig makes.  Not oink, but hoink.
• Jommies        = Pajamas
• Clip Clop      = Flip flops
• Choc Milk     = Chocolate Milk, even though he can say chocolate
• Cow Tractor  = On the movie Cars(which is his new favorite) there is a scene when Lightning and Mater go cow tipping and the cows are tractors.  He really likes that part of the movie and will just giggle.  Too cute.
• That's Tool    = That's Cool, usually directed at something of a vehicular nature
• Finny             = Finished
• Trayon          = Crayon
• Canny           = Candy

Also on a daily basis we hear the non cute things.  No, don't like it, take it off.  And about 12,436 times a day I hear "Det down Emma".  And then 12,437 times a day I hear "Emma tome here.  That kid is something else.

9 Months

This past Friday was Johanna's 9 month BDay.  I'm amazed at how long that seems and how short it really it.  I don't really have any words of wisdom except to say that I miss her.  And to be completely honest, I wish she were still here with us.  I understand all of the spiritual and eternal things associated with Johanna, but I'm still her Mom.  And I'm still jealous and selfish over her.  With all of that aside, I know how fortunate we are to have been able to spend around an hour with her.

And bonus points for the hubs.  When I came home from the gym on Friday, he had a dozen pink and white roses waiting for me.  He's a keeper.

Crazy Blogger

Blogger had been somewhat screwy this week. Posts have been difficult to get up and they've disappeared after I get them up. Sorry about any confusion. Maybe I should look into Wordpress. I hear that it's less buggy. We'll see.

I'm doing this one from my Blackberry so we'll see what happens.

I have a lack of blogging inspiration lately. Hence the reason for the slackness. Hopefully soon I'll be inspired by some greatness and I'll be able to amaze ya'll with brilliance.

Until then have a great weekend.

So..........uhm..........Sure

I decided to go for it.  The training officially starts today.  I found my favorited exercise pants over the weekend.  I've been looking for these for like 2 months and they were right under my nose at Mom's house.  I found some running shoes for my feet(obviously).  And in a few hours I'm off to the gym before school.  It's gonna be great(I think).  If it's not great it's all Jesse's fault.

Have a great Monday ya'll.

Maybe??

So today in my car my brother(whom I love very dearly and can make me giggle like absolutely no one else) dared me to do something.  Nothing strange like "Truth of Dare", but more on that at the end of the post.  Anyway he tells me that he wants to do a Triathalon and wants to know if I'll join him.  I told him NO and he of course wanted to know why and I told him.  First I would have to swim which I'm not that great at mainly because it involves getting my face wet and that makes me panic something awful.  And second I would have to ride a bike which I can kinda sorta do.  I couldn't ride a bike until I was 8 and I never really liked it once I learned the basics.  Don't laugh at me I'm not a coordinated person and that whole pedal and balance thing threw me for a loop.

So in a half joking way I said we should do a 5K next spring(our town has an annual run every May).  And in a completely serious way he said OK.  And I'm pretty sure I know when he's serious and when he's not.  And he was serious today.

Here are the problems with the scenario above.  I don't really exercise all that regularly and Jesse is at the gym 5-6 days a week.  Some days he's there at 5:30am.  And something about that just makes me want to strangle him.  Disgusting.  And I don't have running shoes.

Should I do it?

I confess I'm a little scared to even attempt something like this.  I'm way out of shape after having 2 babies in 22 months.  But I think that if I commit to doing it Jesse(and ya'll now that you know) will keep me committed and on track.  And we can train(hehehehe that sounds so funny) together.  So what's the verdict?  Yay or Nay?

And back to "Truth or Dare".  While I was typing that I was reminded of things that make me think of Jr. High School.  And I thought of something I wanted really bad then but never got(tear).  And in all truthfulness I didn't need it, it was just a pile of junk, and a total waste of money.  Anyway there was this board game called "Mall Madness".  I really wanted it.  It came with money and a credit card and it talked to you and everything.  It was all a 12 year old girl could ever dream of(my dreams were small in those days).  After I thought about it tonight I had to Google it and take a look.  Does anybody else remember this game?





Don't you just love the vests, bangs, and sideways pony tails.  Too cool for words.

The Vows I Should Have Said!

Traditional Wedding Vows:
I, take you, to be mine, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part.

What I should have said:

I promise to sleep in the middle of the bed.  I promise to let my hair collect in the drain for you to have to rip apart and use that snake thingy.  I promise to attempt to make dinner at least once a week......month.  I promise that the dog will only sleep in the bed when you're out of town, and then I won't tell you about it.  I promise to slowly and systematically rid your wardrobe of western attire, including but not limited to, Wrangles jeans in the "Rodeo Cut".  I promise to accept your strange fascination with 1950's and 1960's New York Yankees.  I promise to be as big of an Alabama Crimson Tide fan as you are.  I promise to never let our house run out of Dt. SunDrop and pickles.  I promise to never attempt to mow the grass or use the weed eater.

The things you have no idea about when you say "I Do" are so exciting.

Names in the Sand

So I've wanted to have this done forever.  But for one reason or another I keep missing out on the opportunity.  So I took matters into my own hands and with the help of Mom and Amy we did them ourselves.

And for the record this is way more difficult than you would think.  But it's done.  Hopefully these will be on our bedroom wall very soon.

Some Beach Pics

Just a few(or a lot depending on which way you want to look at it).

I like to pretend that I'm a fantastic photographer.  And I'm really not.  Everything I have learned my Dad has taught me.  I have a lot more lessons to go but I love pictures and the timeless qualities that they bring.

On the train at Broadway at the Beach.  Yes it's supposed to be tilted.  I follow a photographer on FB that does this and I love the feel of the tilted picture.

Stolen moments when no on knows you're watching are the best picture opportunities.

The Fam.

Tilted again.  I don't know why I love this pic but I do.  It's just interesting to me.

A little boy trying so hard to be a grown man.

Swoon!

I have so many more that I could share.  

And I probably will tomorrow.

Wowza

Sorry for the lengthy abscence.  If anyone noticed at all.  We went to the beach for a wedding, which was beautiful.  Stayed for a vacay, which was wonderful.  And now we're home.  I have oodles of pictures for ya'll but that will have to wait a while.

And this is why:

• My wireless router is on the fritz(this is a serious issue).  I've had problems with it for a while.  I believe it has now died the death of so many electronics before it.  Lightning.
• My washing machine is currently laying on its side in the laundry/computer room.  I have noticed water around the bottom of the machine for about a week now and it got really bad yesterday.  Fortunately Chad thinks he can fix it for very little money.  I really hope so.
• Unfortunately Chad came home from work this morning(he goes in at 3am) sick, sick, sick.  We've all had a head cold of sorts and we think this is just another product of excess mucous production(now you feel all scientific and disgusted all at the same time).

No washing machine fixing today.  Hopefully he'll be on the mend by church time tonight.  That's a day in our life.  You never know what's gonna happen.

Independence Day

Enjoy your independence.

Remember why you were given independence.

Know how to gain true dependence on your Savior.

Playin' in the "Dirt-Sand"

This is what my little boy is doing this week. I'm so jealous.  I can't wait to get to him in the wee hours of Friday morning.

To Love Their Husbands Tuesday

Once again I'm linking up with Lauren at Living by Faith for "To Love Their Husbands Tuesday"(but I guess you could tell that by the title).

Here's how I helped the hubs this week.

• We had VBS last week.  Chad is the principal / director(I can't remember what the official title is) and I guess that makes me his personal assistane.  I didnt' know that was in the job description when we said "I do".  Anyway I love VBS and like to go all out for the week.  So to help him make this VBS fantastic I did all of the computer work so we could utilize the screen at our church.  Chad is most definitely not a fan of the computer.  And I'm addicted to my lappy.  I worked up all the computer stuff, filled out the certificates, and washed his special VBS t-shirt every day so it wouldn't be all stinky by Friday.
• You can take the boy out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the boy.  That describes my husband to a tee.  He loves all things western.  So I'm currently watching "The Man From Snowy River" while I do the stuff that needs doing around the house.  This is one of Chad's all time faves and I've never watched it because it's not really my thing.  And when I do sit down to watch it with him I apparently ask too many questions and irritate him.  

That's what I've done and am doing to love the hubs.  There's one more thing but I'll share it later in the week.

Small Town USA

Disclaimer:  Let it be known that I do not normally use the camera while I drive.  I believe it to be unsafe and in the general disinterest of everyone around me and any vehicle that I happen to be operating.  And texting is bad while you drive too.  With that being said, I did make an exception just this one time one day last week.  I know it's not smart but it was in the interest of humor.  Please don't report me.  And I did wait until no other cars were around me before I snapped the infamous pics.

Now that we have all of the formalities out of the way I can tell my story.  We live in Small Town USA.  It's fun here.  And it's often funny here too.  Example:  This week is the annual "Red, White, and Bluegrass Festival".  Note the play on words.  Only in Small Town USA.

I saw this.........

while driving last week.

A better view for you.

It is not abnormal to follow a tractor down the road in our county.  Especially during hay season.  Which it is.  I only know this because the hubs loves hay.  I don't know why but he does.  I digress.  I saw this particular farm implement DOWN TOWN!  I know you can't tell from these pictures that this is in the heart of our little town but it is.  These pics kinda look like a rural road but it really is in town. 

Good times!

It's Sunday.  Church Day.  And we're getting ready to head out the door and start our day.  I just wanted to share a picture or two of Clayton at VBS last week.  My child loves anything with wheels.  He especially loves trucks and trailers.  On Friday evening 2 firetrucks and a rescue truck came to the church so the kids could crawl all over them.  Clayton certainly enjoyed himself.

Enjoy your Sunday.

Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.  Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:  Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;  Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;  Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.

Psalm 103:1-5

Summer Lovin'

It's finally summer time here in NC.  It's felt like summer for months now but the calendar officially says it's summer.  I personally love it.  I like the hot weather.  Most people would disagree with me but that's OK too.

And with the summer season comes one of my favorite things.  Vacation Bible School.  VBS is one of my favorite things ever.  That's what we're into this week.  I'll probaby be MIA for most of the week.

Enjoy your summer.  It's a great excuse for a Route 44 Dt. Coke from Sonic.

Unconsumed

It's late and I really should be getting in the bed.  As usual we have a busy Saturday and Sunday.  I just wanted to mention one thing.

Today I picked up the book "I Will Carry You" by Angie Smith.  She is the author of the blog Bring The Rain.  I really should be studying the various bones in the body but I just could not bring myself to do this today.  I had to start this book.  I've wanted to read it for a while now.  And knowing me I will probably have it finished by the end of the weekend.  I can do without the sleep for a few days.  It's a soothing balm to be reminded(because it's easy for Satan(and our human minds) to let us believe that we are on this journey completely alone) that God has chosen others to walk a similar journey to ours.  Why He has chosen any one of us I have no idea.  But He did.

My point to this is to say that I regularly wonder(worry maybe) that my daughter will be forgotten as the months and years pass.  Chad tells me I imagine things(and he's probably way more right than I would care to admit) and that the things that I perceive around me are not really as they seem.  He really is quite handy to have around.  Reassuring words from those around me are wonderful and very kind and thoughtful.  But they can not completely ease the Mommy part of my heart. 

I don't say these things to illicit kind or reassuring words from ya'll.  I say them to be honest and transparent.  And so that I can share with you the peace and reassurance that God has given me once again this evening.  His timing is so amazing.  I don't know why I ever doubt His sovereignty(and yet I do over and over).

I read this tonight........

"But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.  When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.  For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.  Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life.  Fear not: for I am with thee:"  Isaiah 43:1-5

He redeemed me.  He called me  The waters will not overflow me.  The fires will not burn me.  Why? Because He is God.  Because I am precious in His sight.  Because He's with me.

And these words completely reassure and calm my heart. 

Will I need new words tomorrow?  Absolutely.  Will God give me those words?  Absolutely.

What do you think.............

..............I paid for all of this?

I don't even know if you can see everything that's in there.

CVS
6 Renuzit Air Freshner thingies
1 Schick Super Powerful Awesome(that's the official name) Razor(Free after Q's and ECB and I think there's a rebate floating around for it too)
1 Huggies Diaper

Harris Teeter
3 Gillette Clinical Strength Deo's(this is Chad's new fave so I stocked up)
Neutrogena Men's Face Cleanser(I found this on the clearance rack and got it for $1.16)
Kraft Salad Dressing(.50 cents)
Meuller's Spaghette(FREE)
Lettuce
Country Crock Butter (.60 cents)
2 Oscar Meyer Beef HotDogs(they aren't Ball Park but they were at a great price so I improvised)
1 pack marked down Angus Chuch Steak(this will become our favorite Mexican dish for dinner tonight)
1 pack marked down Chicken Thighs

Aldi
Yellow Squash
Zucchini
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Yellow Pepepr
Red Pepper
Orange Pepper
10 Jalapenos
2 packs Colby Cheese
1 pack Monterey Jack Cheese

I paid..............

Drumroll Please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

$41.71

I could have had a few more things but some of the best deals at my local CVS were already gone.  I think I'll hit up another one after class today and see of they have the products I couldn't get in MoTown. 

A word to the wise(or at least those of us that wish to maintain a little bit of our integrity).  Play by the coupon rules.  I saw a fellow couponer called on the carpet this morning for trying to use multiple CVS cards in different names to get the same deals over and over.  She wasn't bright enough to get away with it because she tried to use the different cards in different names on the same cashier(who happened to be the store manager).  They wouldn't sell her any products on the additional cards she was trying to use and then asked her to leave the store.  She was very rude and became beligerent with the CVS staff.  Stuff like this makes us all look like morons.  I am all about getting the absolute very best deal for my money and work very hard to do so.  And I feel the store should honor the deals/promotions they are advertising(sometimes a specific store or store manager doesn't like to cooperate).  But when the system is taken advantage of by some the whole thing gets ruined for the rest of us.  So if you coupon play by the rules.

Happy Savings!

Friday......I'm in Love

So I was told today that there are a very select few of you that log on mainly to see pictures of Clayton.  And from that I gathered that I don't post nearly enough pictures of Clayton for the taste of some of ya'll.  I have now seen the error of my ways and will attempt to do better in the future. 

So for the two of you that wanted to see more Clayton, here you go.

I deemed this Clayton's "Michael Jackson" look.  It's the glove.

I'm guessing the gloved look kinda gets old(and I don't know why Clayton and Emma have taken all the pillows off of the couch.  Wonders never cease.)

Yeah that glove has got to go!

I have no idea where he found the inspiration for this outfit.  But he came prancing out of his room like this last Friday.  If he pops out with a red leather coat I'm running away.  

We took him to see his first movie this afternoon.  He saw Shrek 4 on the "big TV" and loved it.  He did great.  He sat very still and watched the entire movie without a peep.  We shall have to do that again.

Wonderful Wednesday

To Love Their Husbands Tuesday

I think I'll link up with Lauren again this week for "To Love Their Husbands Tuesday".  Why?  Because it's hard.  And I have an easy person to love.  At least in my opinion anyway, some peeps think Chad is kind of hard to love.  They can be wrong if they want.  So how have I love my husband this week?

• He mowed grass in 95 degree weather.  I randomly took him a bottle of water.
• Chad doesn't really like chicken all that much.  I think the years growing up on a commercial poultry farm kinda did him in as far as chicken is concerned.  I try not to fix it a lot because he doesn't care for it.  But when I do fix it I cut it into the tiniest imaginable pieces.  Pieces the size of my fingernails.  Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup sized pieces.  Tiny!  It takes forever but that's what he prefers.  Why would I not want to accommodate him in this area?
• I've learned to love cabbage because he loves it so much.  I didn't not like it at all a few years ago but I started experimenting with a few different ways to cook it and I've since became a major fan.  So I can add that to the list of things that I can cook and know he will be very happy with.  Now greens, pickled beets, and boiled eggs are another subject completely.  I just can't do it.

I've not done much this past week to show him that I love him.  In fact I don't feel like I do much any week to show him that I love him.  But I try.  And in any marriage 1+1=1.  Since we are 1 I need to make more of an effort to act like it.

Now Chad is getting ready to show me how much he loves me and go to the DA's office and attempt to get a "violation" that I received taken care of.  And he clipped my coupons for me yesterday.  YAY!!

Little League

This morning Chad, Clayton, and I went to Zach's baseball game.  Zach is the nephew of my BIL(Andrew) and SIL(Trish).  They are raising Zach as their own son and doing an amazing job if I do say so myself.  He's thriving with them.  All 3 of us just adore Zach(especially Clayton).

The game went well.  His team lost but I'm not 100 percent sure that they even keep score.  Zach hit an RBI and made a great stop at his position.

Clayton ran and climbed the fence.

And attempted to lick his nose clean like a cow.  Nice!

Chad our sherpa.

And we finished off our morning with a little celebratory Mexican food.  I don't know what we were celebrating but the food was great.

As was the chocolate milk.