Celebrating Faith's Birthday!

On Memorial Day I took the Birthday Girl(s) to the local IHOP for some good eats. As you may already know, breakfast with Aunt Sue-Sue is a tradition. In fact, I asked Uncle Jeff if he would like to join us this year since he is off work, he said "No thanks that is your tradition!" I think he liked the idea of having the place to himself for a few hours.


Lynnie was invited to come along this year because she was able to order off the Senior Citizen menu and I am not one to pass up a discount. Do you think I am crazy to pass that up!?!?
Here is my mom holding the menu out just far enough so she can read the print. I think the Senior Menu should not only be discounted but in LARGE PRINT too. Do you want to hear a funny story? Good b/c I am going to tell you one. My mom says to the waiter, "I would like to order an omelet off the senior menu please?" To which the waiter replies, "I'm sorry you have to be 55 to order off that menu." Mom says, "I am! My birthday was yesterday. Would you like to see my ID?" The waiter says, "Normally we have to check ID but since you say you JUST turned 55 I will let it pass." Oh we had a good laugh the rest of the day. My mama got carded!
A somewhat real smile from Faith and her smiley face pancakes. A tradition of course!
We decided that on the way we would drive through the Wal-Mart parking lot to see Faith's reaction. Remember she said she is NOT A WAL-MART GIRL!
Here is her face, which I think says it all!

While in Target we looked down every aisle. She wanted to make sure she got a bang for her buck. I have always given each of the girls the same amount. They know that they can not go over and trust me Faith tried to get me to go over but I held firm. I just believe it is important to teach them to budget. And I know she is getting the same teachings at home since her Daddy helps people get out of debt for a living. We went down EVERY AISLE, just in case there was something better that she would want. She say a big blue cooler which was in her budget and she said that is what she wanted so she could carry cold drinks in the car during the summer. I said, "I don't think so my friend. Your parents do not allow drinks in the car." So we moved on to another aisle. How about some swim stuff? She decided against this because she would have to share with a certain little sister.

A Care Bear? Now I know she is just being funny! How about some Princess stuff? I was thinking to myself, "Like you are not Princess enough!" Can you tell by the picture below that this girl is fit to be a queen!?!?



We ended up buying a travel art set that she could take with her on her road trip to San Antonino in a few weeks. I made her buy drawing pencils so that the crayons would not melt in the car. I really did not want to be in trouble by her parents! She thought I would let her get a bead making set for her birthday. To which I replied, "You have got to be kidding me! I know how you are with stuff like this and it would end up EVERYWHERE! And your mom would kill me since you guys are trying to sell your house."





She replies, "I don't really think she would KILL YOU!"





To which I shot back, "Well she sure would pay me back one day when you have a little cousin and trust me picking up those small pieces 24-7 would be the death of me!"

Here is a picture of Aunt Sue-Sue and Faith, I think we shopped till we dropped!

Oh and one last thing...Faith's Favorites at the Age of 8

Season: Summer

Why? Because she can swim all she wants

Movie: Shrek 3 (that figures, since it came out two weekends ago)

Show: Suite Life of Zach and Cody (Uncle Jeff says this show will be the death of HIM)

Friend: Madi

Subject: Math (she is NOT my NIECE! Sounds more like Jodi's than mine!)

A Happy Memorial Day

Today Faith told Lynnie that Memorial Day started back at the Civil War and started to list all the many other wars in our country before she wrapped it up. I think my mom may of mentally checked out after she realized she was going to be sitting through a complete list of wars fought in America. I guess she didn't realize what a loaded question "Do you know what Memorial Day means Faith?" would end up being.

As we were waiting to be seated at IHOP, Faith says, "I am happy and hungry!"

To which I replied, "Happy AND Hungry?!? I am not happy when I am hungry, I am usually NOT happy when I am hungry."

She just smiled and said, "Well today I am both!"

I had to give her a big hug and tell her to keep that outlook always because one day her husband will thank her.

Now MY HUSBAND on the other hand, requires that I keep snacks in the car in case I get hungry between meals; because one thing he has learned and been told by numerous family members is that when I say I am hungry, he better take the nearest exit or the crazy lady comes out of her cage! There is another word that can be inserted for CRAZY but we are a family friendly blog folks.

I will be back tomorrow with a few funny tales so stayed tuned for more!

Happy Birthday Mom!

Today on your birthday, you hit a milestone. You are now eligible for the senior discount at IHOP. So in honor of this, you too will get your very own birthday breakfast at IHOP. I know this is what every mother dreams of so I would hate to disappoint.

Let's hope that I can do your tradition of writing birthday letters to each of us justice as I try to write a letter to you, for all the world to read as well.

You have had many bumps in your life. Good times and bad. You have had seasons of joy and seasons of sorrow but you have always kept going. Your positive outlook is an encouragement to all who cross your path. Your life is in a season of great transformation. You are allowing God to transform you from the inside out. And as your old bible study binder says, "Be patient with me God's not finished with me yet." So we watch with hopeful anticipation of the plans that God has already set in motion in your life. In the last year, you have switched jobs and through this change your world has been opened to many ministry opportunities. You are now mentoring other single mothers and it is this that I am the most proud. You, once again, are proving that God can use any circumstance for His glory. So I praise God that you are willing and open to God using your life to help others who are walking the path that you have come through and conquered.

I pray that you continue to grow in the Lord. I pray that God will show you His everlasting love for you. I pray that at this new age (the age that makes you eligible for the IHOP senior citizen discount) that you will see God in a different light. In a more loving, caring sort of way. I can already see Him showing you verses and enriching you as I read your blog today. What a blessing that verse was for you. God has a funny way of meeting us where we are at-doesn't He?

(phone ringing)

Okay so it seems you would like to go to Sonic for your birthday lunch so I will cut this short. Here's to you Mom and your birthday. Thank you for all that you have done for me in the past 29 years. Enjoy your day!

Much love from your blue-eyed Susan

Summer Plans

First off thank you everyone who left comments via the blog and email regarding how you viewed God. I am working through my thoughts and will post after Memorial Day. It has been quite some time since I have felt God speaking to me so clearly and I am very excited to share it with all of you. But I still need a few days to pray it out so tune in next week. Kay?

Since it is Friday and Memorial Day weekend I thought I would list a few of the summer plans that we or myself have planned this summer. It is already looking like it will be a very full, very relaxing summer.

1. Tennis lessons-Monday and Wednesday evenings. I have always wanted to learn how to play and I thought this would be a fun way for me to unwind and work off a few more pounds. It starts in two weeks and I just can't wait.

2. The Daniel Bible Study by Beth Moore- Last summer a group of ladies in the metroplex met at a friends house every Tuesday morning at 6:30 a.m to do "The Patriarchs" study. This year, we are doing it again but studying Daniel. It is early for the summer but the only time that my friends could meet since they all have kids out of school. I can't wait!

3. Beth Moore taping- My SIL, mother and cousin (I am already counting on you Paige even if you are still on the fence) will be going to Life Today's taping of Beth Moore next weekend. We are all looking forward to it!

4. Scrapbook weekend- a weekend designed for another group of ladies in the metroplex to get away and do what we do best. Laugh, eat country home cooking, shop the local Scrapbook store, Sonic drive thru's daily, massages, sleeping late, chick flicks and scrapbooking as little or as much as we like. I may even get a pedicure this time in town just for the fun of it!

5. Visits to Camp Deer Run- My sweet niece Hayley is heading to her first 2 week session and I am trying to figure out a way for me to be there both Wednesdays and the middle Sunday. And if I could sneak in to go out camping with her I would do so in a heartbeat. But I do have a care package in the works so that should be fun! Deer Run Chicks, don't you wish you were getting packed for 2 weeks of summer fun! ?!?!

6. Reading, Reading and more Reading! I am trying to break last summers record of 55 books. Thanks to many people in blog land who have suggested this book or that, I have enough to beat the record. So this means I will have to turn off the television, grab a cold drink and sit out on my patio to read.

7. Running, running and more running! I am loosely signed up to run a 1/2 marathon in December. I have yet to fully commit but either way I will be training for the big day. 13 miles y'all-13 miles! I can barely run 2 without stopping. But I can OPRAH power walk 4-5 so we will see. I swear I can't believe I am doing this.

8. Elvis in the Park-the Botanical Gardens do a summer series with the Fort Worth Symphony and this summer they are doing a night of Elvis music. Of course, Jeff and I could not pass that one up. We are going to double date with Sam and Mom so it should be a whole lot of fun. And did you know, that Sam once met Elvis? Yes, he spoke to him. Had a conversation with the man. Maybe I will get Sam to tell the story and get permission to write it here. Sam I know you are reading this now-whatcha think? Do you want to tell it for all of blogland??

9. Float the River- Jeff's favorite summer activity. He wants to do this for his birthday and invite a bunch of friends and family to join us. It should be interesting. And let me tell you, this is a labor of love because I hate floating the river. I just don't like to sit still that's all.

10. Jeff's birthday- we found a new restaurant in town to host the big shin-dig so we are going to rent out a room and have a blast. (Family and Friends-details coming soon!)

11. Galveston for a few days with our friends, who will rename nameless. to protect them from blog land predators. (Inside joke between us and these friends. I could tell you but then I would have to kill ya!)

12. NRH2O- I am still trying to decide whether or not to get a season's pass or just pay my way each time. My friend (who would like to rename nameless) wants me to get one so she can have adult conversation at the park. I say, "why not!" Jeff hates this place but I love it! Because let's face it, I am the original poster child for Toys-R-Us since "I don't want to grow up!"

13. And somewhere in the middle of all that we plan to start looking for a house. I am a little timid to put that in the "to-do list" because let's face it we move slower than the turtle crossing the road. But as long as it doesn't bother Jeff or myself than it shouldn't bother you. We like to take our time and we are content in the waiting process.

One reason I am content is because I am a stones throw away from my favorite nail salon. TEE-NAH (Tina to the Americans out there) is my happy place. I called her today and asked if she can fit me in. She said, "For you SUH-SHAN-I fit you in at two! Will that be lovely?" Oh yes, TEE-NAH that will be LOVELY!

Sorry, I Just Had to Interrupt

Tonight Jeff and I are going to an "END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR" cookout with some of our friends and I have been put in charge of the dessert. I decided to do Brownie Sundaes. As I started to make the brownies today, I could not find the eggs. I looked all over for the eggs I just bought less than 2 hours ago. What could I have done with them?!?!




Let's just say I gave new meaning to the phrase "putting my eggs on ice" this afternoon.

Yes, that's right they were in the freezer for over 2 hours. Thankfully I had just enough fresh eggs on hand from the grocery run this last week or I would of been out of luck. Especially if I didn't have time to thaw out my eggs or never even found them until I had to pull out the ice cream for tonight.

Good Gracious!

Now please continue on to the next post to give me your thoughts. I won't post again until I get 15 or 20 comments. Not sure why that is the total. Maybe it is because I learned in statistics class, back in college, that it is good to have more than one person when trying to figure out the statistical ratio (is that correct lingo). How do I know this? Because Mrs. Teach wouldn't accept my answer as the only one on research project I had to do for a test grade. It was a sad day when I had to scramble to find more answers to my question (which I do not remember what it was) I just remember running into a few people on campus asking them their thoughts and asking them right after to give me a different opinion. This way I had multiple opinions without having to do much leg work. (Reason #455 while I am still working on my college degree at age 29. I am such an over achiever!)

Mama is just shaking her head while little Elijah is banging his head and both are looking at each other while my Mom asks the age old question "Where did I go wrong with this child? Where did I go wrong?"

Mother, it's one of those age old mysteries that you will never figure out!

How Do You View God?

I am curious to see your answers so please indulge me on this fine Wednesday morning.

I am reading a book that has got me doing some soul searching about my relationship with God. I will tell you all about it in detail but first I am looking for others input. (Oh and I will tell you the name of the book later b/c I am sure many of you have read it and if you have I don't want you to be swayed by your answer-I want your gut answer.) So please (pretty please) indulge me for the next couple of days and leave your comments via the blog or email me if you do not have a blog but are a regular reader or don't want the world wide web seeing your input. (susangwen78atyahoo.com).

How do you view God?

Is God a loving, caring compassionate God or is God aloof, uncaring and a distant God?

Now please give your honest answer. And when I say HONEST, I mean the answer that you truly feel not the answer that you would give in church because you are too afraid to speak up because you don't want someone to laugh at you. I will not laugh and I will be proud to beat up anyone for you who does happen to laugh. Because after all this blog will be a safe place if I have to give each of my readers a black eye to make it so-I may not have any more readers but it will be safe come hell or high water. (sorry, I am pulling myself back in. Get it under control Susan!) The point is be honest.

I really need your help on this one so please be nice and comment for me.

Sweet Adorable Emma

This post is for my friend Kim. I promised her that I had a story for her but would have to tell her after Mother's Day. You see, I was working on a surprise slide show for the Mother's of Metro Bible and didn't want to give away any information. And for those of you who know me well, I can't keep secrets so give me an inch and I will give you a miles worth of details. Oh and a side note, I am working through a bible study entitled "The Power of Your Words." So if you see me in public and I seem a little quiet, please don't take it personally, I am trying to tame the ole tongue. And again, if you know me, you know what a feat this is so please pray for me! LOL!

Okay now for the rest of the story. I have known Emma since she was a newborn baby. Her mom and I along with another good friend did a Bible study together one summer and became great friends. The type of friends that know you beyond the mask and love you anyway. I love these girls and I love this little one right here. Her personality is starting to overflow in the church setting and she keeps me on my toes and smiling!

I was walking around to the different classrooms taking pictures of the kids. This is the first picture of Emma. Can you tell her Mom is a scrapbooker like me because she did not need any coaching?

Then I turned around and tried to get a picture of this other sweet thing. I nicknamed her Boo because her hair looks like Boo in Monster's Inc. She is super sweet too but does not take pictures quite as professionally as Miss Emma. I had to coach little Boo to smile and sit still. But she is still cute no matter what her style of picture taking maybe.
After I had finished taking a picture I feel a tug at my leg and hear the sweet voice of Emma. "My turn!" So I snapped a picture. She then came to my side and said, "Is it a pretty one?" Meaning did the camera make her look super cute! I put my arms around her and gave her a little squeeze, "Yes Emma you look beautiful." Here is her beautiful pose.
And the little girl in the yellow dress below did not want her picture taken. She was too busy playing with her puzzle to stop and smile. Someone should of strapped a "Do Not Disturb" sign to her chest because that was the vibe she was given Mrs. Susan. But as you can see from the picture Emma is trying to act naturally and pretend that she does not see the big ole camera pointed in her direction. But I am on to you sweet adorable Emma!
There you go sweet, adorable Kim. When we are together scrapbooking in a few weeks I will give you these pictures. Who knows I may even do you up a page for the scrapbook!

The Hard Work Is Starting to Pay Off

If Elijah was here right now he would be saying, "YEAH Aunt Sue-Sue!"

As many of you know, I have been franticaly working to lose a few pounds. In the last month if I get hungry, I drink a glass of water with a slice of lemon-it kills the hunger pains until my next meal. If I get bored, I strap on my tennis shoes and go for a walk around my apartment complex or the neighboorhood across the street. Every other night, I walk 2-3 miles with my friend Alison. Not only is it beneficial but I look forward to the many stories that Alison has stored up for me in the past few days. She is a mother of three and her kids overflow with personality so there is always some sort of adventure that keeps me laughing. I also lift weights 2 times a week with Jeff (sometimes I show off by lifting the bar! LOL!) I also get up at the crack of dawn so that I can jog while the sun comes up. I tell you what there is nothing better than starting your day jogging, praying and seeing God's beauty in the sunrise, morning dew and birds that fly close by.

And folks the hard work is starting to pay off.

Today I weighed myself and I have lost a total of 10 pounds! I still have 10 maybe 15 more to go but I need to celebrate this moment. I need it because it has taken me 2 maybe 3 months to lose 10 pounds. Plus reaching this point, has inspired me to keep working even harder.

So if you are like me, tired of the extra few (try 30 pounds I gained last year) pounds than let me inspire you to get up, out of your chair and get your booty moving! If I can do it anyone can do it! Oh and put down the slice of pizza and choclate cake that will do you NO good!

Stringing Together a Perfect Day

I finished this book a few weeks ago but have been too sidetracked to remember to write down my favorite quote from the book. It is a cute book if you are looking for something cute to take your mind off life which isn't always cute! Here is my favorite quote of the whole book.

"Maybe happiness didn't have to be about the big, sweeping circumstances, about having everything in your life in place. Maybe it was about stringing together a bunch of small pleasures. Wearing slippers and watching the Miss Universe contest. Eating a brownie with vanilla ice cream. Getting to level seven in Dragon Master and knowing there were twenty levels to go.
Maybe happiness was just a matter of the little upticks-the traffic signal that said "Walk" the second you got there-and downticks-the itchy tag at the back of your collar-that happened to every person in the course of a day. Maybe everybody had the same allotted measure of happiness within each day.
Maybe it didn't matter if you were a world-famous heartthrob or a painful geek. Maybe it didn't matter if your friend was possibly dying. Maybe you just got through it. Maybe that was all you could ask for."
Page 282, Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants

So with this quote, I have started a journey of self-exploration today. I recruited Jeff this morning to get his thoughts as well. I asked him a simple question, "If you were able to order a perfect day, what would type of things would you put together?" Do you know what he said? "Doing absolutely nothing all day-having the freedom to come and go as I please without a "to-do list" that stretches a mile long. Taking time out to enjoy the day without feeling the day with junk that doesn't' bring us a bunch of joy."

His answer sounded pretty reasonable to me except I started thinking of all the things that we needed to get done today. I started to look at the clock and calculate the time that was left for us to get ready for church, to tackle our to-do list, meeting his parents for dinner later this evening, cleaning the house, finishing the laundry,grocery shopping and so on and so forth. Jeff grabbed my hand and said, "Enough! What would really happen if you weren't there to lead the children in song today? Nothing! And what would happen if we went to breakfast instead of church? Nothing! And why do we feel like we have to tackle our to do list in one day? Why don't we just chill out today and do whatever we please?"

And do you know, I think I am finding myself in the middle of a perfect day. I cleaned the house top to bottom (I love to clean for those of you wondering why this was in my perfect day. Nothing brings me more joy than the smell of a clean house), we ate breakfast at our favorite breakfast restaurant, we walked the aisles of Wal-Mart picking up a few things so that tomorrow I would not be rushing around trying to get ingredients for dinner, we watched a good movie and we will eat dinner with his parents in a few hours to celebrate her birthday. But for whatever reason today is turning out to be a perfect day because I am getting things done without rushing around while stressed about beating the clock.

Sometimes you just need to chill out, relax a little bit with the ones you love and throw out the blasted to-do list!

All In The Family

Last night I got curious and checked out the site meter to see where my readers were coming from. The site meter is a great thing because even though people don't often leave a comment, I can tell the location that they are reading from and know instantly this person or that person has peeked into my place. I noticed that a few of Missy's family have been looking in because of the name of the location and felt it would only be fair to upload a few pictures just for them. So I hope you guys enjoy!

Faith's list (notice the check marks-that must mean we did a good job)

Check out these action shots and Elijah's great form.
Two Points!
Did you see that?!?!
The little B.F.F princesses who made a quick visit to pick a few things the other day. I think this is the moment that Katy started to get homesick. She looks sad doesn't she? Her eyes did not have her sparkle and I kept telling her that I missed her. I didn't know 2 hours later she would be crying at Lynnie's desk saying she wanted to come home. Again, I am such an amateur.
Eli realizing the camera hold pictures of himself, "Me!" He thought if he could get low enough he would be able to see the picture while I was shooting it on the screen. The pictures do not do it justice of how cute this was!
I snapped a quick picture but stayed very close because I did not trust him not to try to take a jump off the swing. 30 seconds after this picture was taken he tried standing up, but I had a hold of him at this point so I just lifted him up and planted him on the ground...where it's safe
See his little mouth puckered up? I do that! And he would get so close to the picture and again...I do that!

"Hey Elijah! Let's clean up because we are going to pick up Faith at school!" To which he did this pose that you see below, he is saying "Yeah!Nap Time! I love the way he looks asleep...it was too quiet in the car while I sat and waited for Faith to get out of school so I dug through Missy's CD stash, found Kelly Clarkson and turned it up. He never even stirred.
Picking up the little princess at school. We are sitting at Sonic...my favorite place on earth!
Faith and Josh riding bikes. The kids next door are students of Jeff and mine in Children's Church. They stayed over at the house (in the backyard actually) most of the time I was there. When they needed to go home, they would wave and jump the wooden fence. Gunnar and I had friends like that growing up and it brought back fond memories of our childhood home.
Faith smiling even thought she said earlier, "No way! I want to play on the come-put-er!" when i asked her to keep an eye on Eli while I tried to fix dinner.
The kids last burst of energy before we sent them to bed for the night. We were dancing to a song about the "Bernstein Bears."
Okay, that is enough for tonight. I have more but I need to get some things done around the house. I have a few saved for blog material so keep checking back sweet family in far away places and nearby!

Chasing the Baby Blues Away...

I wasn't going to tell you all this but since I am feeling much better about the whole thing I feel I must, because I am not myself if I don't tell you ever detail of my life...via the blog.

Here's the thing: I hated celebrating Mother's Day this year. If I could of boycotted the whole thing I would of in a heartbeat. I was just not in the mood. I was mad. I was sad. I was hopeful. I was sick to my stomach. I was depressed. And I started the day-knowing full well that I was NOT PREGNANT. I felt like the whole day was a cruel joke at my expense.

Now let me take a moment to explain myself. Jeff and I have been trying to get pregnant since January. I did not think it would take this long. I realize that it has only been a few months but I still didn't think it would take this long. And let me just say that I am only writing this for me. Because the truth is I am not looking for your sympathy, and I am not asking for you to write me your story either about how long it took you to get pregnant. I am mostly writing this to serve as a reminder of my journey-a stepping stone for me to file away in the archives to review at a later date, whenever that later date may be. Because I am not anyone, if I do not have my faith and I believe that God will bless us, one day, in His timing, not mine. But I was frustrated because I wanted so badly to tell my mom and Jeff's mom that I was pregnant on Mother's day. That just sounded like a sweet story that I could pass on to my children, grandchildren but more importantly to scrapbook. Since my life does revolve around the question, "Wouldn't this make a great scrapbook page?" Pathetic I know but true.

I stayed home Sunday night from celebrating my mother-in-law because I had a migraine and Jeff said he did not want to have to haul me to the restroom and watch me throw up during dinner. He said it would make him feel better if I was sick in the comfort of my own home. Isn't he sweet? Or sweet might not be the right word for it, if you get my drift. So I spent the remainder of the night sipping on 7-up, crying until I had no tears left and praying. Well sort of praying, let's just say I was angry venting to God. I kept thinking of all of the barren women in the Bible that I felt a real kinship with. And let's be honest, I am not really myself if I don't over dramatize my life. I realized that night that I was done with the drama. While sitting on my bed that night, I looked in the mirror across from my bed and spoke rather frankly to my reflection. "Quit your crying, you big baby! One day you will look back at this day and laugh at how stupid you are acting. So quit your whining and start smiling since now you have another month, maybe more, to loose that weight you have been complaining about."

So with that the pity party stopped or at least has been put on hold, God knows I may pick up that sad tune the next go round. Or at least I will try to limit the tears to 5 minutes rather than 48 hours. I was a sight for sore eyes, let me tell you!

And you know, God has a funny sense of humor, maybe it was because I said some horrible things to Him that He decided He would show me "the real world with kids."

My afternoon went something like this: I was waiting for Faith in the school line, while Elijah was sleeping in his car seat. (Of course, he wouldn't take a nap for me all day even though he was yawning and rubbing his eyes from noon on but no nap he would take until we were 2 minutes out of their neighborhood and he is sound asleep...figures). I took Faith to Sonic after school, because I decided yesterday, that I was going to be the type of Mom that took the kids to get a sweet treat after school each day. (Someone write that down on my list of words I may eat one day!) We came home and played outside for a little bit and then both of the kids started to cry when I told them we needed to go into the house so I could fix dinner. What was I to do, leave them outside so they could play "Frogger" with the cars passing by? I don't think so! So Elijah came in and banged his head repeatedly on the back door saying "Out! Out!" to the point I thought the little kid might be loosing brain cells from all the "head banging." I asked Faith to take him outside for me. She said, "No way! I want to play on the come-put-er." (She says that word so cute) And I replied, "Uh, how about I take the computer away for the night since you are acting sassy." (She frustrates me when she gets sassy like that and sadly I sound just like her from time to time.) And she said, "Ohhhkay!" real drawn out and huffy like but she did it sass and all! And I caught her via my camera smiling at one point. Then my mom called telling me she was bringing home a homesick Katelyn. Jeff called to say he was hungry and coming over to eat. Would I be able to have dinner on the table soon since he had to go to work early? Elijah was back inside at this point, playing under my feet while Faith was trying to sneak in one of those shows that I know her parents did not allow. So I was constantly saying, "Faith you know better. CHANGE IT!" I decided to feed Elijah since he would be trapped in his chair so I could finish cooking dinner. In peace. Or so I thought. (Mother's are reading this shaking their head saying "Amateur!") Jeff came in asking this question and that question about this and that. And I almost screamed. "Stop talking!" But then Katy came home, it was sad but really sweet when all she wanted to do was cuddle with me. So I threw supper on the table like they were a pack of wolves, picked up the middle child, who loves a good cuddle now and then and rocked. I kissed the sweet spot on the top of her head and told her repeatedly that I missed her and loved her so, so much and was glad she was going to be able to spend the night with me. Then I was interrupted by my mom who was holding the littlest one who had spaghetti-o's all over him from head to toe. So Jeff and I took him to the bathtub and hosed him off. While Faith assisted in putting soap on his sweet little ravioli head. And after his bath, I played "chase the naked baby" around the house while he squealed and squealed. It was pure heaven. And it got even better when we danced to the music on American Idol. I took pictures of that too cause the last few days are perfect scrapbook pages!

And the sour mood was gone, completely gone as I heaved my exhausted self into bed at nine-thirty. (By the way, I usually go to bed at 12 or later! Ha! Ha!) I was praising God for the fact that I still had a few more months of peace and quiet and I prayed an extra measure of strength for Missy because that girl needs my prayer, more than I ever could imagine. Or she needs my praise more often than I give it because she is doing a great job! (Yes, read it two times more if you want, Missy! You deserve all the praise!)

So thank you God, for making everything beautiful in YOUR time in my life!

And Missy, I hope you enjoy the detail rundown of our afternoon. I am amazed at how you can keep up with them and still remain standing and smiling! Especially with Miss Sass in the house! (Don't tell her I wrote that! Ha! Ha!)

But I love them, each and every one of them and would do it all over again in a heartbeat because their sweet faces help to chase the baby blues away!

I Am Playing House This Week

Gunnar and Missy have gone out of town for a few days and left Lynnie and I in charge. Actually, they trust me enough to keep the kids by myself Tuesday and Wednesday. So I have a request for all the locals, "Please keep the local lines to the hospital and ER free just in case I need to make a quick visit." There. That should make my brother and sister-in-law a little jittery if they read this while away.


Now when I arrived I was given a strict schedule for Faith. It was not by the parents mind you but hand written by Faith.

Here is how she would like for the next two days to unfold, titled
"Faith's Things in the Morning"

(grammatical errors and spelling are left in original content)

7:00 Wake Up Faith

7:00-7:30 Serverve breakfeast

7:30-7:40 Let Faith brush teeth

7:40-7;50 Get some clothes for her

7:50-8:00 Tell her to make bed and have every thing together

Sounds pretty easy don't you think?

Tomorrow morning is my first day to get her ready-this morning was Lynnie's turn. I will keep you posted.


Tonight though, she made me take a math test. (Jodi, don't laugh when I tell you this) I thought 2nd grade math was easy, well I guess I didn't so well at 2nd grade math...I missed one. Do you want to know which one it was... 19 minus 8. Most people would put 11, I am not most people. I entered 8. Don't ask where I pulled that number and Jodi, quit laugh, you big MATH NERD!



It is hard to believe that Faith is about to turn 8 years old. EIGHT YEARS OLD!!! She is not baby Faith anymore! She asked me tonight when we would go shopping for her birthday. I said, "We will go on your birthday or the weekend before."


She then asked, "Do we have to go to Wal-Mart?" (katy her sister chose Wal-Mart on her b-day) To which I replied, "No we don't have to go to Wal-Mart." Then she says, "Good, I am more of a Target girl myself." Who can pass on that logic, Target it is!


Just a sweet moment of Elijah-is it just me or is someone getting sleepy?

And here is proof that basketball starts early in our family.



The middle row on the left was a shot in process, sadly I didn't get the picture of him getting nothing but net, I did get a picture of the ball after it fell proudly on the floor.



I made the mistake of showing him the picture on the camera-so the basketball playing was over and the picture viewing began. He was so cute cocking his head to the side to see the picture on the little screen on my camera. He kept saying, "Me." It was so cute. I will see if I can get the video camera to work because I know Gunnar and Missy will want to see it.

But here is two sleeping babies...

And yes, Katelyn is not pictured because Miss Priss is spending the next couple of days with her best friend, Ariel. She came home though tonight to pick up Emma the Bear, clothes for Emma, her My Little Pony house and two princess dresses. Hopefully this will keep the girls entertained the next couple of days.

So with that, I am leaving you to yourself. I need to get some sleep because I have to keep up with the basketball player tomorrow!

Cousin Time

I went to the hospital to see Cousin Kanyon and his Mom Jaymie today. Kanyon is doing well after his little heart surgery to fix his valve and he will have another procedure on Monday. Please keep in touch with them via Jaymie's blog-she explains it much better than I could.


And thank you for continuing to pray for them.

"Grandma Gay, Mama Gay, Pookie, Gay Gay" or whatever her name will be when she decides on the grandma name took my camera back to Kanyon's room so I could have my very own pics. Plus I have to share with Granny, who is not a friend of the Internet, although she does have an email address. Now isn't that strange? Email yet no computer knowledge. "How's that working for you Granny!" Anywhoo-here are some pics of the Grand Kanyon!

Oh and I saw a diaper of his up close and personal, in fact, my mom was able to take one home with her. It fits in the palm of my hand. I plan to take a picture with Elijah's and Kanyon's side by side. And yes, I will post the picture.



Here I am with Cousin Jaymie. Mom, remind me to give you lessons on how to use my camera especially the zoom.
And here are a few of the 1st cousins that I was able to break away long enough from the endless chatter to snatch this picture.

A sweet story from today: When I woke up all I wanted to do was wrap my arms around Jaymie and pray strength, endurance and peace over her. I knew that today would be the perfect time for that. When we (my mom and I) arrived to the hospital Jaymie was talking to a girl I have never seen before. Come to find out this girl's dad works with Kory and he has gone to the hospital in Longview to check on the family numerous times. In fact, he will often call Kory's cell phone and say, "Kanyon wanted me to tell you hello and he is doing fine." or "Kanyon just beat me at free throws." Because often times he visits when Jaymie and Kory are not even there.

So while they are in Dallas he called his daughter who lives in Dallas, to make a visit for him. So this girl who has never met Jaymie or Kory came to the hospital and spent some time getting to know Jaymie (Kory was in Longview) Before she left, she said, "I can't leave without praying over you because I am a praying sort of person." I thought to myself, we could be soul mates. Anyway, she prayed and it was beautiful and it was every word verbatim that I had been praying for Jaymie this last week. And I was able to wrap my arms around Jaymie as we circled up together and pray right then and there for my sweet cousins.

So today was a good day, a real good day. And I praise God for all that He is doing and going to do for Kanyon!

Where Have YOU Been?!?!?!?

You may of noticed that I have cut back on the blogging. I am practicing the art of a balanced life. So here is a Super-Sized post to sum up my last two weeks.


First off, Jeff and I went on a creative excursion one Sunday. Can you guess where we were? If you live in Fort Worth you should be able to guess, if not, you will never guess, but oh the pretty scenary.

Second, I went to the Paula Deen event in Fort Worth. I was a "Front Row Joe" but sadly my camera battery died from the excursion we took the day before but the friendly Star Telegram reporter took this picture for me. (Thank you Melissa!)
After I saw the state of my arms and chin from the above picture I started to get serious about working out again. And boy howdy, my arms are feeeeeeeling the burn. It hurts to type and that is no lie!

I also started cleaning out closets and such for the upcoming garage sale my friend Alison and I are having in two weeks. Here is a before picture of my closet-the right side was the worst. It is where I house my collection of shoes and purses. Folks, I love shoes and purses, they are always flattering and don't make me look fat. I know the ladies out there understand where I am coming from and may even be given the ole raise of the hand while saying "Preach on Sista! Preach On!" I DO LOVE A CUTE SHOE AND PURSE! I should of taken a picture of the actual messiness but you should get the drift from this picture.

Here is the finished product. The shoes and purses are now off the floor in tidy little hanging bags. It feels so good to have room to walk in to a walk in closet. Maybe I will make a few bucks so I can add to my wardrobe since half of the clothes are either are worn out or need to be put out to pasture becasue they are out of style. Wouldn't that be nice to have some extra cash to play with! And the icing on the cake! Drumroll please.... I was able to catch up with old college friends at my long time friend Lindsay's baby shower! Here is a picture of Meredith, my first college roomate. We went "Pot Luck" for finding a roomate our freshman year and hit off from day one, especially when she suggested that we head to local Sonic and grab dinner. I LOVE ME SOME SONIC!

It was so good seeing her and really Meredith, we live only 30 minutes from each other so we should do better about getting together. Seriously!

And here is my friend Sarah, the eternal Cheuk (sorry a Deer Run inside joke) she was a camper friend when I was a camper and she was in my cabin the first year I was on staff. She was and still is very Deer to me! (Get it Deer not Dear for Deer Run!)
And here is the chicks from 3rd Nelson! Great times, great memories and I found some priceless pictures from that time when I was organizing my photos the other day and will one day post the pics. Because they are so funny!
And Lindsay's cute boy clothes for little Braden...
And for The Deer Run Chicks who will have to host my funeral after "Legs" sees this picture on THE BLOG! SHE IS GOING TO KILL ME! But I just think she is so cute and if I could look half as cute as she 6 months pregnant-I would be dancing for joy the whole nine months! Enjoy the prego picture friends! And really, please try to keep it a secret that she is posted for all the world to see.
Alright, that is all I have for now. And I promise you that you will not get a bah-dunk-a-dunk butt from feasting on this SUPER SIZE POST.

Peace OUT!

I Will Write More I Promise

Jeff took this picture for me last weekend, I woke up early this morning praying for Cousin Jaymie and this verse kept circling in my head. As I was loading pictures to the computer this morning, I found this picture once again. Jaymie LOVES turtles, the Bible verse that I have been praying with her in mind fits this picture, don't you think?

I am working on printing up a copy to take to her and Kanyon. Please continue to pray for them.

And Jaymie, if you happen to stop by, please know that I love you so much! In fact so much so, that when I received a 5 a.m wake up call from the LORD Almighty to pray for you, I hesitated only a few minutes. I knew sleep would not come until I got out of bed and prayed for you. Now I feel sleep starting to set in so I will head to bed for another hour or so.

I hope to give you all a proper update on ALL that has been going on the past two weeks but we will just see where LIFE leads us!

"So There Uncle Jeff!"

Jeff is always asking why everyone we know only blogs about their kids. I just shake my head and say, "Someday you will understand."

Y'all I am getting a little scared because of all the remarks he says regarding children and the habits of parents. I have started making a list of all sentences that come out of his mouth that start with the words, "My kids will never..." or "We will never ___________to our kids." I just know we are glutton for punishment because of these "Never Statements." I choose not to say these things because I do not want to eat my words someday.

So in honor of the remark, "Why do people only post about their kids?" here is a post about my favorite little man, Elijah.

I wish I had my camera out the minute he started warming up to his new surroundings. He gave me the Jack Nicholson looking to the side with a smirk that says, "Here I am !" Then he reached for me to pick him up. Have I ever told you that he melts my heart?

We did so much in that 3 hour span.

We played outside a good majority of that time.

We walked up and down the stairs too many times to count-his poor knees were probably scratched from the concrete steps.

We watched Elmo and ate our lunch outside on the patio while he played little drummer boy on our bedroom window where Jeff was sleeping. Later I asked Jeff if he heard him and he said that he didn't so I felt better about that.

We ate goldfish and it was here that I learned that Missy has trained him right. He would drop a few on the ground, say "Uh Oh" and start to pick up each and every fish.

Elijah wanted to be held after lunch so I rocked him in my office chair, he was out in five minutes. I was a little hesitant to lay him on my couch, not because I thought he would fall off but because I was enjoy a sleeping, cuddly Elijah.

The first picture on the second row is Elijah saying his favorite word, "Ball." But it sounds more drawn out and sounds more like a question. "Ballll?!?"

After his nap, I took him along with Alison and myself as we walked two miles. We walked really fast that day because someone forgot to empty the ole bladder before we left so we did the "Oprah Power Walk" as fast as we could. And I must say, pushing Elijah in the stroller wore me out!

But I loved every minute, he is so sweet and growing up way too fast!

To Which I ALMOST Cried...

Many tears ALMOST shed by yours truly today.

1). I went shopping for Mother's Day cards today while I was grocery shopping. I was trying to pick out "grandmother" cards for our grandmothers. I started looking for Great Grandmother cards and quickly realized Heaven does not do postal services. I teared up a bit but quickly recovered. You see, I made a promise to my great-grandmother one night when I was staying at the hospital that I would not be sad but rejoice after she passed from this earth. I know she is in a better place but sometimes, I just need to cry...almost cry that is.

2). Jeff was cranky with me today...all is better now, but I almost shed some tears but decided this was too trivial to shed a tear so I went walking instead with my friend "Ali". After the walk, we were laughing so hard that I almost shed tears (not to mention wet my pants) from us laughing at the day to day happenings in our lives. Jeff and I talked later on the phone and I ALMOST cried from his sweetness...almost, I said, almost!

3). And last but not least, I almost cried when my Maverick's looked like they were about to have a huge upset towards the end of the 4Th quarter but my sweet Dirk pulled it out in the end so they have one more game. (Special Note to Dirk: "Now Dirk! Don't be a gentleman, take the shots and please don't pass them off next game. We all know that you are the best 3-point shooter and... WE NEED YOU DIRK!")

So no more ALMOST tears for me, I am heading to bed now where I will dream of my Mavericks victory! GO MAVS! (to which I end with a big finish: jump into a toe touch, back hand-spring-victory jazz hands-yelling Go Mavs all the way to my bedroom!)

I Feel Like I Am So Behind These Days

I have so much to blog about yet I am trying (not trying too hard mind you) to get caught up on "life." Life being laundry, groceries, spending quality time with friends and family and my recorded copy of "Dancing With The Stars." I guarantee that Dancing With The Stars will come BEFORE laundry and grocery shopping. I do have to have my priorities, don't I?

This weekend was busy but it was a good refreshing type busy.

I spent Saturday scrapbooking with my friends, Sunday spending quality time with Jeff and seeing my cousins and Cousin Andrew's singing group sing. It was a wonderful weekend.

Last night I had the Paula Deen thing and it is worth a blog all to itself! I am still laughing at some of her comments.

I promise to write all of this in due time but I really need to get some work done today. But since some of my real life friends and family have been teasing me about slacking off the last few days, I thought I would post something. I mean, I try to aim to please and I have come to realize that even if people don't comment as much as I would like, I do have readers out there who will call me on the phone and say, "Are you okay? I haven't seen a new post in a few days?" Folks, even I can't blog every!single.=!day! Come on now! Give me a break. But I have loved hearing that people are out there reading this thing, even if they choose not to leave a comment.

Who knew that blogland would spill over into the REAL WORLD! This blog I am afraid has taken a life of it's own and I am trying (again not too hard mind you) to get it under control!

See you in a few...