Camp Keep the Kiddos Is Still Moving Right Along

2 hour naps ROCK! Missy, I put him down at 1:00 each day and tell him it's naptime, play a video and tell him he can't get off the couch until the video is done. He falls asleep every time! I thought I would try to get him used to it so maybe he would do it for you too. Wouldn't that be nice?!?! (We can dream can't we?)


Sidewalk chalk is super fun!
Singing with his Praise Baby CD. I turned off the radio just to hear his sweet voice sing. The sound was only coming through his headphones and not the speakers so I only heard his little voice. Best praise time ever! I cried a little but what's new.

Faith has already read her 100 minutes for the week. Rock on sister friend. She says she will read more to get ahead. Now that is one smart chick. Katy showed me the ant trail, "It starts right here and goes allllll the way to here!'
We all 4 jumped for over 30 minutes-that was my excercise for the day.
Playing chase with Uncle Jeff, this was his workout for the day. He told me yesterday that it only takes him 5 minutes to get to work. I think we maybe moving close to you all one day
Walking to school this morning. Katy picked out her clothes. She wanted to look cute. Her words not mine.
Dropping the chicks off, I just had to get a picture. I am Aunt Sue Sue and that's the way I roll.
Elijah and I strolled over to the park. We did so much stuff later I jogged while pushing the stroller, when I stopped to walk, Eli yelled "Go Fast!" Sorry I may have started something guys.

"Sue Sue!"
"Peek a Boo!" Sweet smile

Camp Keep the Kiddos-Day 2

I will have you know, last night I posted a funny post but forgot the pictures. When I inserted the pictures the text became micro size and I couldn't get the pictures right. That post is now in the trash and today I am starting fresh.


Yesterday Elijah and I played, played, played with a few work related things for good measure. We went to the library where he did his tricks for the librarian. My favorite is the one where he says "Whoa" like he is falling and then falls in slow motion. We then went to the grocery store where he helped me pick out yummy snacks for snack time at Aunt Sue Sue's. He say the Goldfish on the cracker aisle and yelled "FISH! Mmm!" Who could resist that logic? In the bag they went. We side walked chalked on my patio and played peek-a-boo non-stop. We watched a copy of Benji that I picked up at the library and the pretended that we were puppy dogs.

The Puppy Dog is starting to get tired.




Then the little puppy climbed in my lap and fell asleep. I moved him to the couch where he slept for 2 and 1/2 hours. Oh bless you Lord! I really got my work done then.

Later when we headed home he started to do his chores around the house, wiped down the tub and washed a few windows. He will be a great husband one day if he continues to help out around the house like he did today.

Now to Katy and Faith



They were very happy to see us. They asked me at dinner if I would pick them up from school. Sadly, I am still working but I promised them that I would give Elijah a nap earlier so that I could be there by 4 instead of 5.



Katy told me yesterday that she had to tell her teacher a few things she was thankful for at school today. I asked here what she said and she said, "Sadie, my dog."



(Pausing for the parents to laugh)



You see fellow readers, Sadie is a dog that Gunnar and Missy had when they were first married and if I remember correctly this dog became an angel before Katelyn was born or when she was a little baby. "But Katy, " I say, "That dog is in Heaven, right?"



"Yeah but I know that if I had a dog I would be thankful for it so I said that."



Hmm, works for me.


This is what she was wearing when I came to the house, MeMe had put lipstick on her. Doesn't it scare you a bit how grown up she looks?



No funny stories about Faith. She has been very, very good. She has been very helpful with Elijah. She was even making her lunch for tomorrow when I came in. She said she wanted to make her morning easier. I told her how proud I was of her for thinking ahead. She is growing up so fast and I love watching this beautiful girl blossom from the inside out.



Okay that is all for now.

Today (Tuesday) Elijah has been very cuddly. We sat and watched Sesame Street and he fell asleep. Lynnie said he was up at 5:30 am this morning. Now after a 30 minute morning nap we are watching Dora The Explorer. I better get to work while he is entertaining himself with Dora.

Camp Keep the Kiddos-Day One

Welcome to Day One of Camp Keep the Kiddos. The head master this week is Lynnie and Jeff and I are the camp counselors. Our mission for the week is to keep them safe and keep them laughing until Lynnie comes home from work so she can take over the night shift.

This should be interesting since I am still working and the week before Thanksgiving week is always the busiest week of the year when you sell furniture. (If you read this blog, please don't buy dining room tables this week, wait until after Thanksgiving and save yourself the headache of asking the question "Will I get my new table before Thanksgiving?" The answer is no, it's too late. Some dumb salesperson my guarantee it but they are LYING. They are commissioned sales people after all. All I have to say is just wait. For the love of God, just wait.

Warning: All complaints after you chose not to wait but called to complain that your table has not arrived, before Thanksgiving, will be directed to my two year old assistant for the week Who will happily scream in your ear to show you how annoyed we are that you did not heed this warning. Don't say I didn't warn you.

So...

Here is Day One in a nutshell for the parents who I know will read my blog hoping I will show pictures of their lovely ones but who will be sadly disappointed since I left the camera at home for Day One. Hopefully this in depth report will be an adequate substitute.

1. Load the kids in to the car to head to Cabella's.
2. Drop Uncle Jeff and girls off at door since Elijah was asleep.
(At this point, I am driving because Jeff refuses to drive a mini-van-he says "He just can't bring himself to do it just yet. Something about his manhood still needing to be intact.)
3. Elijah wakes up wants to go inside. So we head in with big man in the stroller. I am a smart Aunt to remember the stroller.
4. Lady tells me I have a beautiful son as we enter Cabella's. I say "Thank you" and walk on because he isn't my son but he is beautiful none the less. We also laugh about the difference between boys and girls because her girls first noticed the beautiful tree where my "son" first noticed the big deer and ducks hanging from the ceiling. "Boys are all the same aren't they?" I agree and walk on. While Eli continues to yell "Look! Look!"
5. Eli and I play look at that fish at the fish pond. "FISH!" "FISH!" While we wait for the girls to get done shooting upstairs at the gun shooting game with Uncle Jeff.
6. I decide to let Elijah out of the stroller to get a better look. I knew he wouldn't go back in so I said, "Katy! Your chariot awaits." And middle sister gladly sits down because she loves to be pampered. Don't we all?
7. The kids and I spend 20 minutes in the aquarium talking about the fish while Uncle Jeff is off shopping. We had so much fun checking out all the fish and trying to identify the different ones. The big catfish made Elijah jump back and scream like a girl when it came to up to the glass. We will have to work on him not screaming like a girl.
8. Walked around Cabella's looking for Uncle Jeff and playing with the popping guns they have for kids. Elijah started yelling "Jeff!" Jeff!" and would hold up his hands saying "Where are you?" (his parents will know what I am describing) When we found him Eli says "See! See! Jeff!"
9. Decide to drive to my dad's to play on the go-carts.
10. Littlest camper falls asleep on the drive there so Uncle Jeff and Grandpa sit by the car so Elijah can continue to sleep.
11. Meanwhile the girls and I are riding all over the grass on the go-carts.
12. Aunt Sue Sue picks up littlest camper and takes him in to rock in Grandpa's recliner while catching up with step mom.
13. Grandpa feeds all of us yummy snacks.
14. Grandpa lives next to a small airstrip so Grandpa, kids and Uncle Jeff head out to watch the planes land in his backyard. They are small, 2 seater planes and lots of fun to watch them land and taxi into their garage at thier own home.
15. Elijah shows Grandpa and Melissa his little tricks. Imagine a little break dancer in the 80's and you have a good idea of what his tricks look like.
16. Head home to eat fish sticks and spinach. Kids love this, because? Oh and Uncle Jeff drives mini-van for the first time EVER! I wish I had my camera to document. It was a little surreal driving a mini-van with 3 kids in the back watching a movie.
17. Uncle Jeff heads off to watch the Charger game with his Dad.
18. Aunt Sue Sue declares bathtime. Two youngest take baths while oldest showers, in the same room. Oh the laughs we had saying hi to Faith in the glass shower next to the bathtub.
19 Girls get out Elijah opts to play a little more. So starts the laugh fest between Eli and Aunt Sue-Sue.
20. Aunt Sue Sue heads home after being tackled by Eli numerous times while trying to say good-bye. I left the house with Lynnie telling Elijah to quit crying he would see me tomorrow morning.

Aunt Sue Sue is heading to bed now Day 2 to continue tomorrow.

P.S Tomorrow's post won't be so long. More pictures less talking- PROMISE!

shopping for Christmas

I have a few websites I use at Christmas time, Baby Showers, Birthdays and what not. I thought I would share them with you since Christmas is coming soon.

Baby & Toddler Gifts,

Maternity Clothes and Funny Shirts for babies. (I think Tara sent me to this site)

Blessed T-Shirts (everyone should own one)

College Basketball Team Gear

Personalized Stationary (Wade go here for Kelly-she will love you forever!)

Christmas Gifts -I bought a scripture plaque from them for my house, I love having scriptures throughout the house-especially when they are my favorite ones.

Pro Football Gear For the ultimate fan!


Enjoy! I will post more another time

He Keeps Me Laughing!

This morning, I was reading in bed trying to prolong the time until I got up to start my day.

I was 10 pages out from finishing the latest mystery novel and I just couldn't put it down.

Jeff (who works nights) comes in from work and as always was restless going to sleep. Usually on days like this I will scratch his back a bit to make him fall asleep faster. But like I have already told you, I was trying to finish the latest mystery novel.

So this was the following conversation that took place between husband and wife this morning.

Husband: "Will you scratch my back a little so I can fall asleep?"

Wife: "Umm in a minute I am trying to finish this book?"

Husband: "Well I don't think that is very Titus 29 of you?"

Wife (still reading) "Why don't you try looking up Titus 29 and tell me how that works out for you?"

Husband: who repeats what wife just like he is four playing the "nanny, nanny boo boo" game

"Why don't you try looking up Titus 29 and tell me how that works for you?"

Wife: was starting to smile when she lays down her book waiting for what was to come next

And for those of you who have heard these such stories in the past know that with Jeff a zinger is soon to follow

Husband: "Well, I didn't realize I was sleeping next to BIBLE ANSWER MAN!"

That did it, wife died laughing! Told him to be quiet and go to sleep and then continued reading the latest mystery novel while scratching Husband's back.

And let me ask you, do I look like Bible Answer man to you?

Don't worry, I don't see it either.

I'll Take A Classic Movie Any Ole Day

I love old movies.

Have I ever told you all that?

I may have at one point but I am not sure if you know how much I LOVE classic movies. If they had a support group for this, I would be the President. It can get a little out of hand at times and this month is no exception.

During the month of November, on Turner Classic Movies they have asked different actors and actresses to be the guest programmers for the night. Each of them have picked their favorite classic movies and before the movie starts will tell you why it's their favorite.

I must say I have been impressed with the different selections. Except for Donald who picked "Gone with the Wind" and even though this tops out as one of my all time favorites, it's the generic classic movie pick for those who really aren't that knowledgeable about the really classic movies. (Oh wow I sound like a classic movie snob)

Anywhoo, way to go Donald!

Please understand, I was still delighted to get a chance to watch "Gone with the Wind" for the hundredth something time. Even though I own it on DVD and can watch anytime I please. And yes, I have to watch in spurts because who could really sit down and watch the whole thing in it's entirety.

Moving on...

Do you want to see the other movies that have kept me from watching soap operas entertained this week?

1. Funny Girl
2. Nancy Drew Detective
3. The African Queen
4. Heaven Can Wait
5. Benji
6. The Russians are Coming, The Russians are Coming
7. On Golden Pond

That my friends is the real reason I have not wanted to blog-too much good stuff to watch and enjoy.

Have a great week!

Proof That God is Good

1. Jeff has found his rhythm as the godly leader of our family.
2. I have learned that prayer for Jeff, silence on my part and constant encouragement for him from me has played a big part in this. Which basically means I stepped out of the way and let God do His thang.
3. Yesterday we taught Children's Church. I had to run down at the end to join the team in singing the closing song, which left Jeff fully in charge of the kids. When I came back after church a few of the moms were sitting outside watching Jeff teach the kids the memory verse. My heart soared to see Jeff doing this with confidence and grace. He loves those kids and they seem to really respond to him as well.
4. A sweet family in our church lost their dad/father in law Thursday night to a heart attack. We sang some wonderful songs yesterday and we sang one in honor of the Newman family. As many of you know, "It is Well" is my all time favorite hymn. As we were practicing, we realized that God was doing something amazing with this song. The harmonies, the music and our hearts all blended in perfect unison yesterday. But then when we added the voices from the church and all I can say is "Wow!" It was beautiful! I still get chills thinking about it even now.
5. Our church went through a rough patch not too long ago. The church service was pretty bare after many sweet friends and families left. Yesterday while I was standing up front during the announcement time, I watched a family who had arrived a little late struggle to find a place to sit. This was proof to me that God is doing something amazing with our small church who ain't so small anymore.
6. Yesterday when Jeff and I came home from church we turned a movie on and just vegged out. Later I started to turn on the computer and Jeff said, "Susan what would you think about making Sunday's computer free zone since this is the only time we are together without one of us having to work or leave for work?" I shut the laptop down and sat back down with Jeff to watch another movie. It is nice that we are both living in the moment and enjoying this time in our life.

God is good y'all! God is good!

At A Loss For Words

My friend Hannah lost her Dad last night to a heart attack.

He was the Chaplain for the D#ll#s C*wb*oys (coping Kim's spelling to keep the unwanted goo*l*rs away). Click here to see the articles that Kim has posted on her blog. John leaves behind a wonderful legacy.

It is in these moments that I realize how short and precious our life on earth really is.

Today I was driving home from a hair appointment, this little old lady decided to do a u-turn in the intersection that I was turning in to. I started to get frustrated because she was holding us all up. I was gearing up to honk my horn when I had this thought come to me. The thought that in less than 30 seconds this little old lady will be a distant memory and was it really worth the trouble to honk my horn and scare this poor woman half to death. No, it wasn't. As I drove on with no harm done to the little ole lady or to my schedule I made a note to remember this moment as my reminder not to sweat the small stuff. Because the truth is in the course of my life what is 30 seconds of sitting while a little old lady does a u-turn in the middle of an intersection. I mean does it really matter?

Now do me a favor. Get off the computer and go love your family today.

Jeff said I could tell this story...

...as long as I share something about me too.



I tried to think of a few random things because he never elaborated on what I should say about myself.



So here are 2 random things Jeff teases me about.



1. First thing out of my mouth every morning is "Must have coffee" He says I mumble it under my breath and it wasn't until just recently that he figured out what I was saying. It wasn't until he pointed this out to me that I realized I even said it.



2. I am an avid reader but I always use the wrong word in sentences. If I am telling a story and I decide to throw in a big word 9 times out of ten I said the wrong word with a completely wrong meaning. Most people let it pass but not Jeff he will stop me and say "Did you really mean to say that?" And it is not until he tells me what the word I said means that I realize I said something wrong.



Okay now for Jeff's story.



When we were getting ready to leave for vacation I had a lot of things on my plate to complete before we left. To say I was a little stressed would be an understatement. I told Jeff earlier in the week that I would make sure he had all his clothes cleaned but he would have to pack for himself.



I usually pack for him because I am usually not the one with lots of things on my plate-he is. And because it helps me keep an eye on what he is wearing because he could care less what he wears.



So as we were on vacation, he says that he will need to do laundry soon because he does not have enough clothes. To which I reply, "Did you not pack enough?"



He answer, "I thought I did."



For the rest of the trip I was scratching my head thinking how could he have not packed enough clothes? Doesn't he know that we were going to be gone for 8 days?



When we get home the first night, Jeff starts looking for his shorts that he wears to work. We looked everywhere for them. I told him over and over, "Jeff, I washed them before we left. They have to be here somewhere."



Well, we never find them and he ends up wearing a pair of old work shorts that really should be thrown away.



Later that evening, I am pulling out all of our clothes from our suitcases. I start to clean out Jeff's suitcase and find his work clothes along with his work shirts. Then it dawns on me, his stack of clean clothes that I sat on the dresser before we left is what he thought I was telling him to pack. Even though I told him that this stack was what I just got done washing and I had not packed for him this time.



No wonder he ran out of clothes because that stack was mainly work stuff and a few pairs of underwear. Poor guy. I guess next time I will have to explain myself better or check his bag before we leave.


Here is a picture of the shirt he wore the weekend of the family reunion. Thankfully he didn't wear this to the actual party just that day.

Is this not the perfect family reunion shirt?

Cagle Cousins, he may wear this at Thanksgiving-just so you are prepared.

Halloween Flashback and the Kids

I was cleaning out some old photo albums last night, moving my senior year pictures to the same book as my college years pictures. It takes up less space when they are in one book instead of two. Anyway, I found this picture from Halloween my senior year and had to post.

Do you see me? I promise I am in the picture.

I was going to wait until sister posted pictures of her own kids on her blog but I couldn't wait any longer. I just had to show my nieces and nephew off, I am the Aunt, and that is what Aunts do.

Jeff and I picked up a passenger in Galveston. Here I am giving Hayley a piggy-back ride back to our hotel.
Faith aka Miley Cyrus. Her wig for Hannah Montana was gross so Missy vetoed it. Faith didn't mind but we had to call her Miley not Hannah. She also was able to get her face painted while at the carnival. I think she was happy and super cute. Katelyn, wearing the cheerleader costume that Missy wore at that age. On the side of her skirt is says "Missy." Isn't she cute?!?
Elijah who went as Jack Jack from the Incredibles. He was a fast mover too. Once he got into the games there was no pulling him off the games. Later when we went to eat, he was hyped up on candy and would yell, "Hi" to all the people in the restaurant. He also danced a little jig and at one point did a move that looked similar to pelvic thrusts. I wonder where he picked that up?


Okay, I am heading back to the pile of laundry that I am happy to report is almost finished.

Home Again, Home Again, Jiggity Jig

(A picture from Kentucky on Abraham Lincoln's boyhood home)

As we were driving home yesterday, Jeff's cell phone rang. It was work calling saying they needed him to come in early tonight. As Jeff hung up the phone, I patted his back and said, "Welcome Home!"

It's hard coming back to the real world especially after having such a great time.

I found myself trying hard not to cry last night as Jeff headed to work and I went back to sleeping single in a double bed. Give me a week and I will be back on track but for now I am fighting the "my husband works an opposite schedule than me blues."

As you can tell, we really, really had a great time.

I plan to finish out the pictures from my trip on the Road Trip Blog but it will be in a few days.

There are more important things to take care of than blogging, I am afraid.

Work is one, Trick or Treating with my nieces and nephew is another and grocery shopping is next.

So I planned a few fun things to start up once I got back but the truth is, I don't really have the time right now. Blogging will have to wait.

I just wanted to let everyone know that we are home, we are safe and we are slowly trying to get back into some sort of routine.

Tah-tah for now.

"On the Road Again!"

You never know where the road will take us.

We have been known to make some crazy detours along the way, to keep up with us the next couple of days go here.

Otherwise tune in November 1st for a new addition to the blog world

and

the 1st ever

BLESSED ASSURANCES giveaway.

Get Ready, Get Set, Let's GO!

First off, thank you for your comments on the last post. I shared my story to encourage others who have felt fat at one point in their life. I hope if you are that person that you too will remember that you are a beautiful work of art made by God, no matter what you weigh!

Now, I can't be serious anymore because I am going on a ROAD TRIP.

Have you ever noticed that when you are gearing up to go somewhere that the to-do list becomes a mile long? It's been a little nuts around here. The plan is to work, work, work tonight so I can start goofing off tomorrow.

the to-do list goes something like this:

}finish up the 15th work reports

}file all the junk from my desk

}put the finishing touches on the women's ministry newsletter (1st edition)

}scrub the kitchen so it will be clean when I come home

}pedicure & manicure

}coffee with a few friends tomorrow night after bible study

}check out travel books and audio books at the library

}go to the grocery store for the travel necessities and snacks

}go by the storage unit and pick up suitcase and camping equipment

(Jeff and I are camping out one night in Kentucky)

}make the ROAD TRIP music CD because the IPOD does not work in rental car

}charge the camera battery

}check the weather and then pack up the fun fall clothes that I have yet to wear in Texas

}get the addresses together for our postcards

}Set Amazon account to "Vacation" mode

}Mail the EBAY stuff I sold this week to pay for scrapbook weekend

}pick up postcard stamps at post office so we don't have to hunt for stamps on vacation

}call the Mom & Dad before I leave and call my grandparents too

}quit making a to-do list I keep adding stuff to do before we go

}post the link to the ROAD TRIP blog so you all can keep up with us next week, you know you want to

Okay friends, as you can see I have some work to do. I will post the link when we are heading out of town so you can come check in with us there.

A Weighty Issue

When I was growing up, I never struggled with my weight.

In fact, I can remember my grandmother telling me I need to eat more because I was "skinny as a rail." She worried that I was too thin.

In college, I didn't gain the "freshman ten". In fact, I didn't really know what the girls on my floor were really talking about. I could eat whatever, whenever I wanted and never gain a pound.

Two years after Jeff and I were married all of that started to change.

I didn't realize I was gaining weight until someone said to me, "Oh I can see you are a happily married woman."

I asked this person, "What do you mean by that?"

She tried to backtrack her statement rather quickly after she realized she may have crossed a line and said, "Nothing-I was just making a joke because you had put on a little weight, in a good way though."

I tried to ignore this person's comment and pretend like it really didn't bother me that I had gained a few pounds to where someone would notice. But the truth is, those words did hurt.

A year later, I started to take hormone shots to help with my endometriosis. One of the side of effects, that I did not know going into this was I would gain weight. I gained 40 pounds while taking these shots. Yes, 40 pounds in just a few weeks!

I was miserable. I stopped taking my picture after I saw my double chin, flabby arms and the rolls around my stomach. I became the photographer instead of the model. I started to starve myself in order to lose weight. This may come as a surprise to some of you but it's true. In fact, this is probably the first time I admitted it to anyone other than God that I was starving myself.

A little over a year ago, the weight was not coming off. It seemed like nothing was working even something as drastic as starving myself.

I believe that God often meets you where you are to help in time of need. He helped me by bringing friends into my life to walk alongside me as I began a healthy approach to loosing weight. I started eating 6 small meals a day, instead of one yogurt and then gorging myself at dinner. Each meal was well rounded and not huge portions. I started to walk more and just move more in general. By doing all of this I lost 13 pounds. And then I hit the wall. If you have been loosing weight you will understand what I mean. The technical term is I hit a plateau. I knew I needed help if I wanted to continue my healthy approach to loosing weight.

6 weeks ago, I joined Weight Watchers. I joined at the same time a few of my friends at church started WW too. We have all been a support system to each other as we continue to loose weight together. I thank God for these people who are walking alongside me.

I won't lie, I still struggle with how I look when I look in the mirror, I struggle with the number and I hate that I don't look like all those girls you see on television. I have realized in the 6 weeks doing weight watchers that I am too focused on the things listed above. I am really trying to retrain my thoughts about my weight. It is something that I have been praying about and I have asked the Lord to give me guidance in this new thought pattern. But it hasn't been easy.

Today before my WW meeting I was already feeling defeated. I just felt fat and truthfully I felt like skipping the weigh in all together because I knew I would feel horrible afterwards. I wake up to the radio in the morning, so the radio was still playing as I was getting dressed. The song "Fingerprints of God" by Steven Curtis Chapman started to play on the radio. I sat and listened to the words as the song played out. Click here to read them for yourself. As I was sitting down, I looked in the mirror and had a little heart to heart with God.

Let's just say that this song is my new theme song for this phase of my life.

Since my journey is still be played out, let me close with my favorite part of this song.

"Never has there been and never again Will there be another you

Fashioned by God's hand

And perfectly planned To be just who you are

And what He's been creating Since the first beat of your heart Is a living breathing priceless work of art..."


I pray that you too will remember the next time you look in the mirror that you are a priceless work of art in God's eyes.



God Bless Your Journey!


(thank you AJ for encouraging me to write this post today)

The Plan...Sort Of

Jeff and I don't normally plan out what we do, we only plan the stops.

the original plan was to go to Disney world.

but neither one of wanted to drive all that much since we are tethered to Galveston Island for the family reunion that takes place at the end of our vacation.

so NO MORE GUESSING, here is the plan.

1st stop-Memphis, TN where we will see these and of course no visit to Memphis would be complete without going here

2ND stop-St. Louis where we will go here and make a pit stop to here

3rd stop-Kentucky for a bit of this and that and for Jeff a lot of this

We have more stops on the way but those aren't yet fully planned.

But our final stop will be in Galveston Island for a little family reunion, where Jeff will serve as a bouncer in case a family brawl breaks out.

Should be a fun time had by all.

But on another note, does anyone have any suggestions for books to listen to while on the road?

We were talking about it today and came up with a few but I figured I would poll blog land to see if anyone had any ideas.

So please tell.

Road Trip 2007: Clue #1

The states in red show where Jeff and I have already been to on previous Road Trips.

Where we are going this time does not include one of these states and close enough for us to be in Galveston, TX for a reunion at the end of our trip.

And remember, it's not Disney World!

Any Guesses?

Edited to Add: I changed the map b/c it wasn't accurate. I had to pull out the handy atlas that actually shows where all we have been on the map. Let's just say I sometimes get a little stir crazy on these jaunts! You know since I took the time to put a check mark after we cross a different state line in the new state. :)



create your own visited states map

"...a few of my favorite things!"

Do you have anything in your home that you just love?

You know that thing that brings you warm fuzzies each time you see it?

I consider myself pretty lucky since I have many things that make me happy throughout my house.

But in an effort to keep it simple, I will show you my newest favorite thing.

Say hello to Anthroplogie's Voluspa "Baltic Amber" candle.


The other day, when I was shopping with my mom. We walked by the store and they had this candle burning. I walked right in and fell in love. Every time I walked closer to where the candle was burning I declared how great it smelt. Finally I broke down and bought it. The best thing I have splurged on in a long time.

Each night, I grab my favorite book series that I am reading for the 100Th time-light a candle and read late into the night.

I tell you life is good.

Life is good.

If you have a favorite thing you like feel free to tell us about it.

Happy Birthday Hayley Bayley!

Hayley is 10!

Uncle Jeff is walking around scratching his head wondering where did the time go? I am just so happy because she is now into double digits. Back in my day this was a BIG DAY!




I met Hayley when she was 3, just barely 3 actually. We bonded from our first big adventure around the ice skating rink when I knocked her down and she said, "Are you okay? I tank I hurt you!" Actually it was the other way around, I tank I hurt you! Just shows you what a sweet spirit she has, our little Hayley Bayley!

By the way, I knew Jeff was the one for me when he started to tell me about his niece Hayley. Feel in love, weak in the knees, I did. He loves Hayley to pieces and so do I. Maybe she is the real matchmaker between Jeff and I. :)

Hayley keeps me on my toes. I have long since stopped playing the "Animal Game" with her because to me, a bear is a bear and a turtle is a turtle. But to a girl who watches Animal Planet 24-7, a bear is a bunch of different types from different regions and words too big for Aunt Sue-Sue to contain in my small little head.

Hayley, God has blessed you with a great brain that can retain all types of information, don't ever stop learning and gaining more knowledge. Even if you do stump the adults!

"Merebear" and Hayley playing the animal game. Meredith is stumped in the picture too! LOL! (Called you out Meredith!)



Dancing to her song: "California Girls" by the Beach Boys

"I wish they all could be California Girls!"

And of course, one last picture of sweet Hayley at CDR this summer. Did I tell you that she got best camper? OH I did! Well I thought I would throw it in one more time. I am just so proud.


Hayley,

Uncle Jeff and I love you dearly and can't wait to take you to IHOP and shopping for your big day. You are a precious little girl inside and out and we know that God has great plans for you! Continue to seek Him and He will take you far.

We love you!

Uncle Jeff and Aunt Susan

Happy Birthday F.I.L!

Yes bloggers that's right another one today.

Today is F.I.L's day!

Funny side story for you all:

For a few years the in-laws and Jeff and I all went to the same church. Before MIL and FIL moved and decided to find something closer to home. I have called my in-laws, MIL and FIL for quite sometime. I am big on nicknames and usually if I find one that sticks I run with it. Well, I called FIL, FIL because you know, that's my name for him, many times at church. One guy came up to him and said "Hey PHIL how's it going?" And Jon (aka FIL) answered him like nothing was wrong. Oh I laughed and laughed. Later when I was alone with the guy that called him PHIL, I explained that his name is actually Jon not PHIL. And I call him F.I.L because he is my father in law.

Happy Birthday F.I.L!

May your day be all that you want, need or desire.

We love you bunches!

The kids gave their parents a night away-their faces are priceless. This is one couple that truly loves each other.



Jeff snapped this picture of FIL. The boys have a standing tradition of smoking cigars at big events. This was in honor of 40 years of marriage. I think he deserves a cigar, don't you?



Up until the 40 years together party, I did not know FIL could dance. And let me tell you, he should be on Dancing With The Stars!

And finally, he loves his granddaughter Hayley and the feeling is mutual. Hayley is a big fan of her Poppy! They are sweet, sweet friends. And I love to see them together. Poppy's face lights up when her name is mentioned.

Tomorrow is Hayley's day so the birthday posts will continue for one more day.

Happy {Almost Belated} Birthday Missy!

I slept most of the day today, I think my body is trying to play catch from the last two weeks, which have been non-stop go!

Anyway, I woke up at 6 tonight and realized I had not called my siter in law. So Missy forgive me for being horrible today and not calling. but will a blog do? You are a regular reader after all.

Happy Birthday Sweet Sister!

You are such a blessing to us all!

I love you to pieces and am holding you close to my heart this week as you are going it alone while G is out of town.

{Call me so we can go to the pumpkin patch that I went to this weekend. It's close and super cute!}

Pumpkin Patch Photos

Last night I photographed these cute little pumpkins.

To the mom's of these 3 cuties,

I am working on putting these pictures in Kodak Easy Share for you these week and will email it soon.

Enjoyed the girl time, can't wait to see you all again!

Road Trip 2007

Jeff and I are in the planning stages of the 2007 Road Trip.

Tonight we pulled out the Atlas and pulled up Mapquest on the computer so we could plan the next big adventure.

We mentioned earlier on the blog (if you are a regular reader) that we were going to Disney World. Those plans have now been changed. Why? Well if you know us,you know that we NEVER stick to the original plan-we are always tweaking and flying by the seat of our pants.

This time, I am the one who throw the wrench in the plans.

Today, while shopping with my stylist (aka Mom) I mentioned how I was tired of the hot weather. (Avg temp 92 degrees this week) Mom mentioned something about it being the same in Florida only more humid. So this started my wheels a turning. I don't want hot weather on my vacation. I want something cooler. I want to go somewhere so I can wear my cute Fall Fashions that I was in the process of buying today. I don't want Florida or sand shores after all. I want something new and exciting.

Jeff said, "Okay let's plan somewhere else."


So... we leave in two weeks for our big adventure. Am I going to tell you where we are going? Uh no! You will have to tune in to the blog to see where the Garmin takes us.

But I will be throwing out clues the next few weeks and while we are on our trip I will post a picture of the big landmarks to see if you can guess "Where in the world are Jeff and Susan?"

I know you are thinking I am going to tell you before we leave. I'm not!

I know my friends and family are shaking their heads saying, "Oh she will tell us! She can't keep secrets."

Nope. Sorry, not going to do it.

Let's just call this training for other secrets we may or may not be sharing these days.

And again, I am not going to tell you.

Stay Tuned.

And I am serious when I say, "We are not telling a soul."

You will just have to watch and find out.

Silence is Golden

The summer Jeff and I visited our nation's capital we went to Arlington National Cemetery to see John F Kennedy's grave site. This sign grabbed me. I liked the fact that everyone who came to visit the site was silent as they passed by. Children who usually were running and laughing stood in silence as they watched the flame flicker on top of the tomb. I wonder why we aren't silent more. Why do we feel like we have to constantly have noise around us?

Last night, my friend lost her sweet Granddaddy. Jeff and I said a prayer last night for her and her family when we heard the news. Our hearts are still a bit raw from the loss of my great-grandmother last spring. So although we rejoice that she is in Heaven we still miss her sweet presence here on earth. I praise God for Grandaddy Leon's legacy he left behind too. I pray for her family who now mourns their loss.

This weekend was also amazing for me. I was able to attend a "Revive Our Hearts Conference" with some sweet friends from church. If you do not know about Nancy Leigh Demoss or normally don't listen to her radio show then you are missing out on some good, solid biblical truth. (Click on the Revive Our Hearts button to the left for her website)

My life is forever changed.

At the beginning of the conference she encouraged us to take a media break until the conference is finished. I continue to feel God is calling me to continue my "fast" from media. Especially this blog which has become too much a part of my life. I need to find my balance, friends. I am distracted by this and will read blogs before I read the Bible. I realize balance is a work in progress. And it will be something that everyday will be a struggle. But I don't want to miss out on the Lord speaking to me. And if the blog is keeping me from hearing His voice than I need to lay low a few days.

So with that, I start my blog fast.

I will be lurking but may not be commenting.

My goal for myself is to keep in touch with my real life friends and family beyond the blog. I want to be intentional about spending time with them in the real world and not just via the blog. But I will be back to blogland too.

I just need to take a moment to sit at the feet of Jesus. My first love.