bah hum bug

That is how I am feeling this morning.....I can't deny it.

We had such a wonderful weekend with our friends from Indiana and my daughter home. My house was full and loud and wonderful!!

And then every one left........all in one day.

And as I woke up this morning in a very quiet and very dirty house, completely exhausted from all the fun we had, looking toward a very full week, having not put Christmas up yet and not having any desire to do so......I just wanted to yell "Bah Hum Bug!" and go back to bed.

For the first year in my life, I think, I am not excited about the holidays and am not completely sure why. Oh, I know all of the above things contribute, but typically I am so excited for Christmas and can't wait to have every thing up. Tomorrow is Dec 1st and I don't even have my advent calendar up for the kids.

So, I started blog surfing......and ended up here. And as I started reading, God revealed to me that my attitude is not really due to being tired and busy...it's really due to a "heart issue". I am allowing my circumstances to grab hold of my focus. What I am looking at is how tired I am, how much I have to do at the church and home, all the responsibilities I have this month and how I can't possibly do it all. As my heart focuses on me and what I can and can not do, it becomes more and more discouraged and disgruntled.

I need a heart change.

Gina reminded me in her article that I can't change my heart. But I can ask God to change it. I can take the time to stop and sit in His lap and talk and listen. And I can expect Him to change my heart.

It's so easy to get caught up in the busyness of the season.......decorating the perfect house, buying all the gifts, attending all the parties, being the perfect hostess.

Tomorrow is Dec 1st. I want to start this month with my heart in the right place. Celebrating the fact that my God loved me so much that He sent His son to die for my sins. And I want my gratitude for that to be completely evident in all I do this season.

So this morning, I am asking God to change my heart........

.........and expecting Him to do it.

Project 365 - Week 48

Week 48!! I am having an amazing weekend and my friends are still here. So...I don't have time to write much......in fact, I am getting yelled at to pay attention to cards!!!

Here's my week:

Sunday

Well, the whale has been turned into a Grotto
for our birth of Christ unit.

Monday

today was mad cleaning day getting ready for company.
This floor cleaner smells so good!!
It's....well.....fabuloso!!!

Tuesday

It was cleaning day at work too...
time to pull the huge fridge out from the wall.
I got tickled at Regina, who weighs all of 100 lbs (maybe wet),
pulling this huge fridge by herself!

Wednesday

Made a cherry pie today....

....and a pumpkin pie.....

...but the best part of the day was having my whole family home and together!!!

Thursday

There is nothing better than a full table of friends!!!!

Friday

Got up this morning and climbed Pinnacle mountain.
It was a perfect day and an amazing view!!

Praising God for His goodness!

What is more fun than rolling down a grassy hill?!

Let us see your week!!!

Project 365 - Week 47

Week 47!!!

Can you believe we only have 5 weeks left of Project 365?

At the beginning of the year, it seemed so daunting....and now we are almost finished! I am still thinking of a good prize for the last week for those who have persevered to the end!!! So don't give up! We are so close!

Here's my week:

Sunday

We celebrated the end of our Jonah unit at church today with these whale cupcakes....

The kids were surprised to find a gummy Jonah inside!!!

Monday

Jared got his braces off today....Woo Hoo!!!

Tuesday

So sad to finish this study today.
This was one of the best I have done in a long time..
..and it totally ministered to my heart!

Wednesday

made the Pioneer Woman's lasagna today...
A.ma.zing!!!!

Thursday

Got my saliva test results back today.
I kind of thought I would get more than a 1/2 page for the $$ I spent.
But apparently it is enough to figure things out...
..one can only hope.

Friday

I just got 100 of these Xmas cards FREE today!!!
go here to find out how you can too!

Saturday

I wrangled Jason and his best friend to help move some furniture today.
No, they are not taking it outside...
We live on a hill and this was the easiest way to take this piece (my grandmother's) from the top floor to the bottom!!

Now let's see your week!!!

WOW! What a deal!!!!

I didn't think I would be blogging so soon....
...however..

I HAD to tell you about this amazing deal!!!

I was visiting Sarah's blog where she talks about getting free Xmas cards.

So, I immediately finished reading & then went to check it out..

I am always in for anything free

I just ordered 100, yes 100, Xmas cards...

and got them all for FREE with FREE shipping!!!

That means I just ordered 100 Xmas cards for $0.00!!

You have to check this out!
What are you waiting for?!?!

Head over to Sarah's and follow the rules!
What a blessing!

And you will love Sarah's blog!!!

treading water & Friday Fill-ins

Do you ever feel like you are just treading water?
Going no where except maybe under the water?
That's how I feel right now.

I have so much on my plate that I am overwhelmed....
....and need to spend some time figuring out what God wants me to keep and what He wants me to let go.

So.......
I will be taking a blogging break for the next week or so.

Most of us will be busy with Thanksgiving anyway, right?

I will have project 365 up on Sunday, but that may be it.


See you guys soon!

1. We need to stop and take a breath.

2. Got an email from a blogging friend and it made me smile.

3. If you want me to do something for you...then be nice.

4. I am getting excited because one of my best friends and her family are coming for Thanksgiving.

5. Massachusetts has a proposed 5% sales tax on elective cosmetic surgery; I think I am not surprised.

6. A house full of family and friends makes for a happy holiday.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to going to the FB playoff game, tomorrow my plans include cleaning, cleaning, cleaning and Sunday, I want to enjoy worshiping at church and then do some baking to get ahead for Thanksgiving!

Have a great Friday and a Blessed weekend!!!

Random Dozen

It's Random Dozen time at Linda's....

1. If you could master one sport, what would it be? Before I can master it, I have to learn to like it........but I would like to master golf so that I could play with my husband and kids.

2. When you make a major purchase, do you go with your gut instinct, or do you do research to make an informed decision? Definitely go with my gut. Doing research would waste valuable time from using said purchase.

3. There is an old kids' game that says you can find out what your movie star name would be by using your middle name as your first name and the name of the street you grew up on as your last. What is your movie star name? Lynn Tecumseh.......not bad!!! :)

4. Would you rather give up your favorite music or your favorite food? If you know me for let's say...2 minutes.....then you know I would rather give up music!!!

5. There are two types of banana preferences. One is pristine yellow, almost to the point of being green; the other is spotty and more ripe. Which is your preference? pristine yellow all the way. If there are any brown spots on it, it gets set aside for banana bread.

6. Your favorite tree is? people have favorite trees? I guess I don't.

7. On a scale of 1-10, how tech savvy are you? At one point in my life, I was a 10. I used to sell and repair computers back in the day. But as things have changed so quickly over the years, I would have to say that now I am about a 6.

8. Has H1N1 touched your family? Yes, my older son had it. But the rest of us were spared.

9. Are you an analytical person, or do you just accept things the way they are without questioning or scrutinizing? Let's see....from questions I have answered so far in this meme.....can you guess?

10. Is your personality more like that of a dog, cat, or Koala? What is the personality of a Koala? tree hugger? I would have to say that I am more like a dog.

11. Do you keep in touch with friends you made years ago? Yes, I am still in touch with friends that I knew in elementary school. And though we have moved 5 times in our marriage, I still keep up with friends from each place.

12. You are checking out at a grocery store. In the express lane, there are more people than the regular lanes, but of course, their load is less than those in the regular lanes. Which lane do you choose (assuming you qualify for the express lane) and why? First off, I always go to the self check out lane. However, I would quickly try to analyze which is going to move faster and then choose that one. Of course, I would be wrong and the line I chose would have some kind of problem or the person in front of me would have an item with no price that would have to be looked up manually for some reason and I would end up spending so much time in line that my ice cream would melt........because you know I would have ice cream in my basket!

Done with braces FOREVER!

Before.....

After.....

This is my last child.

After almost 20 years of some kind of
braces or apparatus in someone's mouth......

we are done......forever!!

Wow! does that feel good...

....especially to my wallet!

Project 365 - Week 46

Week 46!! I just got back from a team planning weekend for children's ministries. We spent 2 1/2 days planning and writing our curriculum for the spring........and my brain is mush.

........I have no more words....seriously.

Here's my week:

Sunday

I have a love/hate relationship with my phone tonight.

I love my phone, love having my calendar right there with me and all other aspects of it.
However, tonight when I tried to sync it up with my computer so I would have a backup copy, it accidentally erased ALL my contacts and ALL my appointments!!!
ARGH!!!!

Monday

I got to meet the Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond tonight!!
Go here to read all about it.

Tuesday

My son came home unexpectedly and caught me exercising....
.......he had a laughing fit when he saw me using can goods for my weights!
He said "food is in every part of your life, mom"
or something like that.....
...and proceeded to run get my camera so it could be my picture of the day...

.....I didn't have the heart to tell him that I am just cheap.

Wednesday

I worked child care at the church tonight and we watched this movie. I hadn't seen it in a long time and it just amazes me the creativity that some people have...all the details. I think you could watch it 10 times and not see everything!!!
On a funny note, the Korean church that meets in our building was there last night. Some how they didn't know we were there and when they left, they locked up and set the alarm. Well, as soon as these little munchkins started moving......the alarm went off!!!
Always and adventure!!

Thursday

Left tonight to come to a friends lake house.
our children's ministries team is meeting for the weekend to plan/write the spring curriculum.
Tonight is just relaxing......ahhhhhhh!

Friday

This is the view we woke up to this morning!

Saturday

A wonderful friend that moved 2 years ago just happened to be in Hot Springs, where we were, this weekend at art show!!!
So fun to be able to see her and hug her neck!
don't look at me, that is my fried brain, too tired look!!

You're Next!!!

Random Dozen

Joining Linda at 2nd cup again this Wednesday for Random Dozen.

1. What was the last song you listened to? Waves of Mercy

2. Have you ever had “buyer’s remorse” over anything? I don't usually get buyer's remorse, mainly because once a decision is made...I'm done with it and move on. However, I do remember having it when buying our first home. I really loved the apartment complex we lived in....small, only 8 apts, down by the seminary. I loved the family feel and how we all met out on our front steps at night. A house seemed like such a big step, lots of responsibility and I wondered if I would have such wonderful neighbors. The whole process was difficult (buying a house is never easy, especially when you are young and can get taken advantage of) and I was ready to quit all the way through. I think it took me quite a while not to miss our apartment!

3. What is something in your life that you are thankful for now that you didn’t think you would be at the time of the event? (Something that seemed ill-timed, inconvenient or hurtful which turned out to be a good thing) I have many. 1st probably infertility. For 2 years we tried to have children while my husband was in seminary. All my friends seemed to be getting pregnant all around me. It was so hard. However, God in his wisdom knew I did not need to have a baby while my husband was in seminary. I was the one working and my job had me traveling about 50% of the time. He knew that my heart would not be able to leave my child like that. We got pregnant just as my husband was about to start his last semester, I wasn't traveling and was able to leave her with my husband during the day (he took the rest of his classes at night) and that still nearly broke my heart to leave her to go to work. A year later, I was able to quit work to stay at home with her.

4. Do you watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade every year? If so, do you have a favorite float or balloon? Yes, it is a tradition at my house!!! I get all my cooking prep done early so that I can sit and watch. I love ALL the floats!!!

5. Share a quote, scripture, poem or lyric which has been an inspiration to you lately. From the song Blessed Be Your Name.....you give and take away, you give and take away. My heart will CHOOSE to say Lord blessed be your Name!!!!




6. This is meant to be a fun question, and this is a G-rated blog, but please share a “guilty pleasure,” something that you enjoy that’s probably not the most edifying, time-worthy or healthy thing you could be indulging in. Did I mention--G rating? I am trying so hard to think of something funny here........and I got nothin!!

7. What Thanksgiving food are you looking forward to? fried turkey, stuffing, gravy, rolls, cinnamon apples, pumpkin pie, left overs.......basically ALL of it!

8. What is your favorite book to read to children, or what was your favorite childhood book? Chicka chicka Boom Boom. My kids could all recite this book! I think I could still recite it today.

9. Do you collect anything? (Feel free to post a photo.) I used to collect antique irons.....but as you can imagine, it was a very "heavy" collection. I also collect tea cups.

10. Gift bags or wrapping paper? oh definitely gift bags......unless it is a gift to a "snooper" (you know who you are) then I wrap it!

11. Share an after-school memory from when you were younger. What was your routine like on an average day? I think I remember most coming home on the bus, throwing my books down and having a huge bowl of chocolate ice cream. I think I had it every day until I found out I was allergic to chocolate. Then I would head outside to play with my friends till dinner!! Those were the days!

12. True story: Once, in a job interview, I was asked this question and told there would be no clarifying; I simply had to answer the question: “When you’re fishing, do you feel for the fish?” So what about you? When you're fishing, do you feel for the fish?? This question has me puzzled......I certainly don't use my hands to "feel" around for the fish. They are too slimy to catch with your hands. However, I do "feel" for the small tug of the line to know when to snap the rod and set the hook. But I don't "feel" for the fish as in have compassion for them.......they are about to be my breakfast or supper...one that I will greatly enjoy!!!

I don't want to make you jealous and all....but......

I got to meet the Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond!!!

First off, if you don't know who that is......go here.......your welcome!

I asked for her cookbook for my birthday.....it was at the top of my list. It was an extra bonus that she was coming to Little Rock and I would be able to get her to sign it!

I was a little surprised that the book signing was at Walmart........wondering what that says about Arkansans........but it was actually a fantastic place. The line to meet Ree circled down the isles and around the store.....crazy! But if you came with a friend, like I did, you could get some needed shopping done while you waited! Bonus!

.....and it was worth the wait! Ree was as engaging and fun in person as she is on her blog. And I have to say that I am so impressed with Marlboro man...

...he actually went down the line as people waited and signed the back of the book......his picture.....and if you have the cookbook, you'll know which picture that is!

He even took pictures with all the ladies......pretty impressive. I think I even saw a lady ask to take a picture of his bumm......if you visit her blog or have the cookbook, you'll understand why............and no, he was not wearing chaps.....wranglers yes, chaps no....not that I was looking...

We finally made it up to Ree. She made you feel comfortable the moment you stepped in front of her.....I love her even more now!


I can't imagine how tiring this is for them. The line was so long behind me and they said that Ree would stay till everyone who wanted an autograph got one. I was praying for strength and endurance for her as I left.

If you don't know about the Pioneer Woman or her cookbook, you need to visit her blog. There is a reason she has such a huge following........

.....and after meeting her......I'm an even bigger fan!!!

Project 365 - Week 45

Week 45.....truly amazing!!! I don't think I have stuck with anything for this long in.my.life!

We had a great week. It helped that we had sunshine and beautiful weather the whole week! It was perfect! Enjoy!

Sunday

This is one of the crafts our older kids did for this unit.
These are praying hands.
you clip the names of those you are praying for in the hands!

Monday

It's my birthday!!
my choice for dinner.....catfish!!!

Tuesday

I spent the morning looking at my birthday present!
I was so excited to get this cookbook!!
AND she's coming Monday to LR for a signing!!
If you have never visited the Pioneer Woman's blog..
....you need to!

Wednesday

I spent almost $100 to order a saliva test so that they can figure out what in the world my hormones are doing with menopause....
....I sort of expected more than this.
I hope it works!

Thursday

The sun has been shining for SIX days now!!
That means that my boys will be able to march at the game tomorrow night!

Friday
What a GREAT night
Senior night
We got to go out on the field with Jason while they introduced him....so special!

The last time my boys will march together....
.....I was just a bit teary

Doing their half time show
Jared on far left, Jason 2nd one back on the right

ESPN was at our game tonight to televise it.
our running back, 6th in the nation, had just signed with Auburn and the coaches were there, there was so much excitement in the air!!

And we WON!!!!!!

Not only did we beat our rivals (who we have never beaten) but that puts us in the playoffs!!
And that means......

My boys will march again!!!!!
priorities ya'll!

SaturdayToday I went to a baby shower for my friend, Leah
I had so much fun ooooing and ahhhing over the cute outfits!!

Now, link up and show us how your week has gone!!!