Un-official realtor no more!

My secret life is no more. Hacienda. Bye-Bye. Vaminos. (Okay, I don't know a lick of Spanish....doesn't hacienda mean 'house'?) The days of taking a moment out of each day to see what new listings have come on the market, or what has sold, are gone. The perk of knowing my husband's password to get on MLS....vanished. Or rather cut off. Boog finally did it....he called in and cancelled his last tie to the realtor world - his MLS access.

I do think if I ever wanted to get my realtor's license that I would make a pretty good realtor....I keep an eye on everything! But, honestly? I don't want another career....and realtor-life ties up weekends. So no, no license for me. But I'll sadly have to go back to doing it the way all other non-realtor-wed people do it.....realtor.com. Ugh!!

PS. The picture above is of a cutie pie little Southern Living home that I'd love to have one day. It's small & cute....and totally my style! I've fallen in love with small homes....I like the easy maintenance and the curb appeal. (Of course, 20 grand in landscaping doesn't hurt either!)

5 minutes...

Project Runway is starting in, oh, 20 minutes...so I'm going to give the best 5 minute blog ever! What's on my mind? My fingers will do the talking.....

1. I'm SO supremely thankful, grateful, abundantly rejoicing everyday that I have someone to teach GA's with me...the wonderful Kasey Holt. She is a supreme blessing. We're both elementary teachers and therefore, teaching GA's after a long day at school is....well, it's tiring. Getting "pumped up" for another hour of pre-teeness is an act itself, much less knowing that GA's is probably the only time of the week that some of these girls hear about Jesus....that's pressure! Two years ago, I needed someone to help teach the growing class and she stepped in. Kasey, if you read this, thank you so much! Your commitment & example is worth far more than rubies!

B. I'm still thinking of my friend, Andi. She's had a big week this week....planning a huge event here in Athens, working, being a mom, and still dealing with her mom's cancer diagnosis.

3. I wonder when I'll see my husband next? I'm headed to Waco this weekend to visit my sister and he's headed to....anywhere....he's taking a much needed break to just spend a day or two with nature & God. His fuel tank is low.....so I'm trying to think when we can take our much needed 'date night' in the future. Heather, want to double date?

d. Let's see.....I'm thinking of how I'm looking forward to working out at 5:30 am. Really. No, I'm serious. Let me tell you why. Before I started this, I used to think I needed 8 hours of sleep every night. (I love sleep!) But I would still be exhausted at the end of the day. After I started getting up twice a week at 5ish.....wow! I really feel so much better - everyday. And not to mention, my clothes fit better....my backend stands a little higher & tighter (sorry, TMI!)....and I just all around feel more healthy. So yes, I'm a dork and I'm looking forward to my gym time...aka "Flo-momma time".

.........this all has taken way more than 5 minutes & now it's time to get in my jammies and live vicariously. I'm a talent groupie! I'll leave you with this....

Tears at your heart strings, doesn't it? Sweetness...

daddies & their little girls

What's gotten into me?

I feel a sick coming on. Tickly throat...minor achiness....but yet, when I get home from work, what do I do? This.

I make up a new recipe for dinner! Viola! It's pretty good! (chicken dipped in butter, then rolled in a bread crumb/dry ranch dressing mix, then wrapped in bacon and topped with colby jack cheese. I baked it on top whole green beans and made cornbread muffins for the side. Hubby loved it!)Okay...so then you'd think I'd stop and try to rest and get better. "NOT I!" said the cow. Grace & I decided to make our favorite chocolate chunk & heath toffee cookies....(recipe below).












And now, instead of resting since Gracie is asleep.....I blog. I surrender. There's no hope for me......the sick will win. I just hope it wins after 4 pm on weekdays because the dredded TAKS TEST (the first of three) is next week! Prayers are needed.......

Enjoy the recipe! They are good!

Chocolate Chunk/Toffee Cookies

3/4 c. butter crisco
3/4 c. light brown sugar
2 T milk
1 T vanilla
Mix together, then add
1 egg and mix well again.

In a separate bowl, mix:
1 3/4 c. flour
1 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp salt

Stir in flour mixture just until blended then add:
1 cup chocolate chunks
1/2 cup toffee bits (heath)

Drop by the rounded tsp. and bake at 375 for 8-9 minutes. Do NOT overbake....in fact, I pull them out when they look almost done & let them cook more while cooling!

Who needs a second child when you have Bitty?

It's official. Bitty has become our second child. She goes with us to the grocery store, she goes with us to church, she even sat with us in her own booster seat at dinner the other night. In fact, everytime we get into the car to go somewhere, the ritual goes like this: Grace puts Bitty in car seat, buckles her in (rear facing, I might add), Grace then buckles herself in and we're off! This adds about 3 minutes to the process and is definitely something I've had to test my patience with.....

However, Grace is a good momma....so I've learned that taking care of Bitty means something to her - so it must mean something to me. Here's a few pics of us going to the Athens Teen Court Chili Fundraiser tonight.....of course, Bitty came along.

We're almost ready to go!

And on another note, my hubby is getting pretty good at being asked on a moments notice to speak. His reputation for having the gift of gab proceeds him, I guess! Anyhoo, at the dinner tonight they asked for him to introduce all of the political candidates that were there......District Attorneys, State Reps, etc. all depending on the Master of Ceremonies to make it known that they were in appearance that night! Every vote counts.....fortunately, he did well and didn't cost anyone their election!

Announcer Boog

And Grace shadow danced in the mirror while we ate.....

"she's a maniac, maniac on the floor...."

Bullet blogging

For lack of anything real interesting to blog about today, I'll post these funny moments from Grace this week in bullet-format. ( I'm gettin' crazy! )

• On Tuesday, Grace came home from school with a frowny face. This is rare for her, so Boog gave her the opportunity to tell him what she did wrong. (Her teacher,Tina, had already informed us that Grace had shoved another boy in line at school, but he just wanted to know details from her....you know, interrogation.) Anyhoo, in tears and knowing she was about to receive a big spanking from daddy, she said.....and I quote, "There were fools in front of me and fools behind me!" ( Mr. T, anyone?? )



• This week I showed Grace how to wipe like a big girl when pottying. My sister-in-law (a nurse) said that this was the age where little girls started to get urinary tract infections alot because they wipe the wrong way. So now, Grace just thinks she's such the big girl! In fact, when we were in Dallas last night at Chip's restaurant, she even stood up and demonstrated in front of everyone exactly how she does it! Wonderful!



• And finally.....to cap off our week, Grace always surprises me with how she really understands certain lessons I'm trying to teach her. Sometimes, when we're headed home for lunch or dinner, she'll say, "Mommy, I want to go to a restaurant." I then inform her that we don't always get to go out to eat.....for one it cost money and we have to earn money. I've even gone as far as to get her to help me do chores around the house, and she'll earn a quarter to spend on a gumball machine....(I'm trying to make use of the days when a quarter actually means something to her!). So we were in Dallas last night and her daddy had bought her a little monkey pillow to use when she falls asleep in her car seat. As soon as she sees me, she says...."Mommy, can I help you do laundry so I can earn this?".........well, it's nice to know some things I say don't just go in one ear and out the other!
  
  We painted nails the other night. Here's a pic of Grace letting her fingers & toes dry....and the finished product!

Tag! 7 random things about me.

I've been tagged...(thanks, Jamie, I was having a hard blogging morning today. This was good fun!) Ok. Enjoy the list. It's a hodgepodge of me - in all my glory.

1. Drinking cups sitting out are enemies of mine. In my house, it's a joke between Boog & myself that he has to hold his cup if he wants to keep drinking it....because if he sits it somewhere and I start to notice the "sweat"....I think it's old and I'll quickly put it in its proper place....down the sink and in the dishwasher! I don't know what's up with that.

2. I am the complete opposite of a pack rat. I think I've had a garage sale every year I've lived in a house. I regularly (maybe every other month!) go around the house, find things we don't use, or clothes we don't wear, or toys Grace doesn't play with, and I'll bag them up and take them to our local donation place. For some reason, this gives me clarity of mind and peace. The less stuff I'm keeping.....the less clutter.......the better.

3. When I was young, I absolutely wanted to be a fashion designer. I sketched when I was little, I loved to draw, I devoured fashion mags....the whole nine yards. Even up to the point of my junior year in college, I STILL had college applications tucked away for design schools in NYC. But.....there was a slight problem. I couldn't sew...and when I tried, I wasn't very meticulous. And I imagine, to be a good designer, you need to be very meticulous. So here I am...teaching! : ) (But one of my only shows I really watch regularly is Project Runway - go figure!)

4. This is one kind of funny random thing...more of a memory. When I was dating in college and searching for "Mr. Right", I had a mental list of 5 qualities I'd like for my future husband to have. He must love God, be funny, be athletic, love his family, and he must be good looking. Those were the five - how deep, huh? Well, right before I dated Boog, I was dating this one particular gentleman and he fit.....all but one. I just didn't think he was all that good-looking.....(this sounds horrible, doesn't it?) Really, in hindsight, he just wasn't the one. Anyway, we broke up and I remember praying, "Lord, just send me someone who has all of _____'s qualities, but make him cute!") I know. I'm terrible!!! All that said, a few months later Boog & I started dating and to my shigrin.....he was all that and more....AND I thought he was "hot".

5. This will make everyone reading feel great about themselves. I've honored myself with the award of being the worst conversationalist in the world! : ) Well, okay, not the worst, but I certainly am not the best. I laugh too much, I say all the wrong things, I smile to overcome my lack of anything to really say, and well, put me alone in a room with someone I don't know and it will become uncomfortable....really quick! Thankfully, my husband takes over, as he compliments me well in that area....he always has something to break the ice. That's why I married him!

6. Random thing...not trying to brag here, but I am a pretty decent dancer. I can get down on a dance floor with the best of them, although I don't do that much anymore. Okay, never really. But in my day, I had an uncanny knack for rhythm. I always was in the advanced dance camp in cheerleading, front of the lines, I picked up routines pretty quickly, and my body just grooved the tune pretty naturally. I still like to turn the dance music up loud (when I'm alone!) and I'll dance while cleaning my house or something like that. It's a good workout!!

7.....okay, the public sharing of my random things is almost over. One of my ultimate favorite vacations would be......not going to Europe......not going to white sands & blue oceans ....not going to Colorado .........I want to take my family, drive an RV, and spend the entire week up at the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska. I want to eat hot dogs all week long and watch my favorite thing - college baseball. There's something peaceful, American, enjoyable, relaxing, and super fun about spending several days, tanning in the sun, sunglasses and baseball caps on, and hearing the crack of the bat....and taking it slow. I've always loved that about baseball. You can have a great conversation with someone next to you and still know what's going on in the game! The other sports....basketball, football....even though I like them, you really are stressed out watching them and you need to pay attention 110% of the time or else you miss something. But baseball....it's wholesome and relaxing. AND it doesn't help that I happened to catch most of the college games in one of the best baseball environments in the world - good old College Station. The Aggie Raggies rock!

OK. Here are my tags now.
1) Keri
2) Jenna

Have a great Saturday!

Cancer. Pregnancy. Fundraising.

Those three words don't seem related at all......but that's been what my week has been about. Good things, sad things, bad things - the life stuff. I'll explain.

Cancer. My good friend's mom was told this week that her cancer had come back. This time, it was a rare form and the prognosis was not good. My friend is now having to take all of that in, still continue to work, and raise her family. It brings back all the memories of three years ago when my mom passed away from cancer.....me having a new baby, a new job, and a mother suffering from the trials this thing called cancer entails. What is cancer?? It makes me mad to be quite honest. It seems like this whole entity.....you hear the word and the world stops. Who can really imagine a few cells gone awry turning into a life changing event? An enemy in your body. It's hard to find comfort in times like that.......I'm praying she does. You can't do anything but pray.

Pregnancy. Well, in my case, the lack of. I can't complain because I have one beautiful, healthy, vibrant little girl with whom I've expended 150% of my love on. But about a year ago, Boog & I were ready to have another one. Well, that was a year ago. This week we found out we'll continue to try next month. It's strange....God's strange sometimes. We might question His ways, but we always realize his PERFECT timing in hindsight. So I actually have a pretty decent attitude about it....I don't want to force God's hand......I want His perfect plan for me. So if that means I'll wait 10 years, I will. Or if that means I'll just have little Grace, that will be ok, too. Like I said, I realize that I've been blessed beyond measure already, so it's hard for me to complain.

Fundraising. This year, Boog & I were excited to host a table at our Athens' Young Life Banquet. Many of our friends from church attended and we had a great night with good food, good testimonies from youth, and some amazing singing! It was a good night. The hilarious part came at the end. We gave my neice, Madi, a chance to start her baby-sitting career....she baby-sat Grace and Sterling for about 2 hours. Well, she far surpassed our expectations because when we got home, they were bathed and in bed and the house wasn't destroyed! Amazing!! Madi, you've got a great career ahead of you! But........we didn't have any boy clothes, so she had to put Sterling in this......

Bursts of energy! (thanks Boog!)

"I'm taking Grace with me."

.....those 5 words can be like caffeine. Not all the time, just some of the time. Moms.....come on. You know. That one or two hour time span that your hubby gives you alone with no kids (whether intentional or not) can be SO productive. I do believe there's been a time when I've cleaned my whole house, done all the laundry, re-organized my closet AND dusted my ceiling fans all within the two hour time span that Boog had taken Grace somewhere. Talk about making it count!

Anyway, this afternoon, Boog was heading out to Mimi & Papaw's and took Grace with him. That gave me a few hours after work to really get some things accomplished! What did I do with that rare alone time? I talked on the phone w/my sis discussing our next "Big Idea" , I blogged, I got a few items at the grocery store, and I cooked this great meal below: filet mignon, cooked corn (that's corn but adding butter & milk and let it boil out....gives it good flavor!), real mashed potatoes, and buttered sour dough bread. Can you say yummy to the tummy? Can I say 400 lbs? (Good thing I worked out this morning!) Oh yea, I swept the kitchen, too. All in a day's work!

Evolution of Dance - must see!

I needed something to make me smile....and this always does. Enjoy this next 6 minutes...it'll take you down memory lane!

How do you "dog people" do it? Really.

Let me rephrase. How do you "inside dog people" do it? Really. Because I REALLY want to know. I'm typing this blog, smelling my fingers, after I've already washed them three times, just knowing that I still smell that wet doggy smell.

Let me explain. And then I want answers people. Real answers.

Today started out easy, but got really busy quick. One phone call from Boog, and mine & Grace's girls weekend turned into a "help make lunch & dinner for 60 Disciple Now kids" Saturday. I didn't mind at all.....I enjoyed helping out & got a great laugh at some really nasty relay races they did after lunch. However, after being gone most of the day.....and it was pouring all day long.....Grace & I came home to let Boo out of his kennel. We had put him in our garage so he wouldn't get soaking wet. I fed him. Then I gave him a bath that he so desperately needed. OK. Here's the part where my question comes into play.

I didn't want Boo to be outside in the nasty, rainy weather....especially after just having a bath. I also didn't want to put him directly back in his kennel, because he had already been there all day. So I let him inside...........for about an hour. UNTIL my nose couldn't take it anymore.....I could swear on my right thumb that my house was starting to reek of wet dog. I had dried him off thoroughly, but I could still smell it. That yucky smell. Now, as I type this, I've put Boo back in his kennel, vaccuumed like it was my vacuum's last hurrah, and I just know I can still smell little wet dog smells lurking.............

My heart is divided. On one side, I enjoy having a dog, but I definitely don't like a dog in my home. People are in homes. Dogs are outside. Those are my rules according to my clean freak nature! But on the other hand, I hate leaving a dog by himself in a kennel all day. And sometimes, it's too cold or rainy (like today) to get outside and go play with a dog. Or much of the time, we're just plain not at home a lot of the day.

So what's a girl to do?? What's the answer? Do you "inside dog people" (Stephanie, Heather....anyone else pipe in please!) just have doggies that don't smell? If so, where can I get one? Or do you just not let them get dirty? If so, how? Or do you just overlook it because you love them so much? If so.......then I just give up.

This is a super long post when I really should be posting pictures of tremendous Godly things that are going on......Boog's already said 8 kids have made decisions at Disciple Now and everything has gone smoothly.....I should be writing about that. Instead, I write about the hard, dog-phobic crazy person I seem to be. I need help!

Just the two of us...

This weekend is Boog's first Disciple Now, so he was quite stressed & busy this whole week getting ready for that event. So Grace and I get to enjoy some girl time this weekend - just the two of us! Tonight we popped some popcorn, got into our jammies, snuggled in a nice, warm blanket, and rented "Babe".

Now, I know. You're saying, "Flo....that movie is like 400 years old." My answer is, the Ferrell family does not watch much TV (our household is actually pretty quiet a lot of the time!) For Grace's first 3 years of life, the only movie she's ever owned is "Nemo" which, too, is about 200 years old. Call us insane, call us weird, but we really do like to spend most of our evenings either reading or talking (or blogging) or doing things around the house w/o the TV on. It actually makes me a little crazy if there's TV noise in the background too much. (I know....am I really ready for a 2nd child??)

So I'm sure one day Grace will catch up and see all the movies she's missed, but for now, we're catching up on the old, old, old movies. She's in bed now, and we made it through the whole thing. It was really cute!

Thanks Ang, for recommending this one. Seeing how our day started off (.....a frazzling, hectic "promising Grace a donut, then not having time, then dropping her off at school, then making a U-turn to go back & pick her up to go eat donuts together", while calling my principal who - having 3 kids of his own - is merciful and gracious ALL the time....), that movie & girl time was MUCH needed!

Happy Valentine's Day!

A great start to a great day. This cute little "Ding Dong" cake was given to us by a sweet friend, Julie Estes. (I told her there must be a hidden message.....me, ding dong cake.....get it?) It started off our Valentine's great! Tonight, Boog & I have a "Sweetheart Deacon Dinner" at our church, and I have - of course, a party for my 4th graders in my classroom. So today will be an eventful day! Hope you all enjoy your Valentine's with loved ones!

Grace, ready for her Valentine's Day

Me ready for my Valentine's Day

When did things get so expensive??

So tonight....after putting Grace to bed, I decided to take one quick hop on the internet to find some bargains for Grace on-line at Old Navy (hey, you can't beat $5 shipping!). Needless to say, one quick hop started a myriad of "searching for a dress to wear to a summer event" and "finding some cute tops". You know, the basic eye candy for women stuff!

Anyhoo, I go to JCrew.com - just to see what they have to offer in the dress department. OH my goodness. Am I old? Or has it been that long? Or maybe my sense of outrageousness has peaked a little. I mean, I used to shop at this place. But when I came across this precious little dress, I scrolled down and gulped when I saw the price......$335. Let me say that again $335.

Here's the little offender!

A little bit of ridiculousness here. I totally remember shopping at this store maybe 5 years ago, when it was within driving distance, and being able to buy a pair of jeans for $58. Now, they're $98. Shorts there used to cost $28. Now, they're $48. Has inflation gone that far in 5 short years? What's next? $30 Hanes underwear?

I don't mean to offend anyone. If you can afford this, I'm really a happy for you. And let's just make note, I'm not a cheapskate.... on certain things. Furniture, cookware...things that I won't get tired of after 3 wears. I've even said the phrase, "When you buy quality, you only cry once." But when it comes to clothing, the only quality I'm looking for is, can I bend down and play trashball with 4th graders in this?

Old Navy....Tar-jay...you rock! Don't let the inflation man bring you down...I mean, up. : )

Picasso extraordinaire!

(Left) Uncle Carey - a sketch by Grace (2008)

(Right) Head - a sketch by Picasso (1953)

Art dealers, here's your next big name! Grace Ferrell - a budding Picasso! OK. I hate to be the braggart parent, (really, I do....can't you tell?) but this little sketch has GOT to be the best little sketch ever from a 3 year old! Look at the head, the eyes, the belly button, the kneecaps!

And to top it off, she identified her muse....her inspiration.....good ol' Uncle Carey! I'm sure even Picasso sketched some crazy uncles in his day, too.

I'll continue to post more of her collections.

Please, no autographs.

The budding artist

Playday!

What gorgeous weather today presented.....a picture perfect Sunday. After church and lunch with some family & friends, Grace & I enjoyed the afternoon sun. She played with Boo, or tried to, that presents a challenge with a puppy that likes to chew on everything imaginable. Then Grace played in her house making "snickerdoodles & chocolate water" for me to eat. All in all, a good way to wrap up a weekend!

BTW - Marci, my sister-in-law, delivered a great Sunday school lesson today. It was about David and his repentant heart. One question in our lesson really stood out. It asked, "How many people have helped you by telling about their struggles and joy in God's forgiveness?" I could think of dozens, literally dozens! Then it asked, "How many people have you helped by telling of your struggles & God's forgiveness?" Wow. I couldn't think of hardly any. It made me think I need to be braver in that area.....Marci, you always do a great job!

Marci & her beautiful family

Blueberry Saturday!

You can't go wrong starting off your morning with blueberry muffins. (Although, I have no idea what to do about the conehead muffin front & center. What's up with that??) Anyhoo, Grace, up at 7:45, started immediately asking, "When's brektfast?" Not a typo, that's how she says it. She followed up with the "My stomach's smushy." Meaning, she's hungry.

We had a long day ahead of us with Little Dribbler's basketball games, a meet & greet at the church, and a still sick hubby. So it was good we had our sustenance!!

Grace enjoying her muffin...she had two!

It's crazy 'round here!

Fun, fun Friday nights. Don't you love 'em? In highschool, Friday nights meant one thing - football. Cheering for your sweaty, stinky boyfriend as he makes(or doesn't make) a touchdown. Then, in college, hopefully you've attended your classes that day, so you can earn the right to go out with friends. Albeit, most of the time you go regardless. And in your married years? You got it. Check out these fancy pics below.

Now who can think of anything more exciting? Boog & I decided to get into our PJ's, order pizza from our new Domino's pizza (don't laugh you big citiers!), and watch a very old but goody Bridget Jones's Diary. My hubby happens to like the occassional chick flick (When Harry Met Sally, anyone?), so I always have a movie partner. He's still a little under the weather, so we might not make it through the whole thing.

And Boog, waiting patiently for me to finish my blog, is reading his ALL-TIME, he says "most favoritest book ever".....something about Theodore Roosevelt. He swears by it's greatness, so ladies if you're ever looking for a good book to get your man, apparently here's one.

And finally, are you wondering what happened to Grace? She went to bed at normal time - 8ish - and asked AGAIN to read her favorite book apparently.....the Wal-Mart baby catalog. This is the 4th straight night in a row she's asked for me to "read" that "book" and she's mesmorized every second. I flip the pages and make up sentences like, "Don't forget to buy your baby a wipe warmer to make them happy!" (Or whatever goes along with the picture.) She loves it!

Calgon take me away!

The beautiful view from my in-law's back porch

Work. Church. Life. Hubby. Children. Home. Laundry. Dishes. Taking make-up off. New puppy (Steph, thanks for your words of encouragement....I don't know if I'm 100% the puppy type yet - more of the old dog, lay around type!). Wal-mart. Shaving legs. Working out. Blow drying & straightening hair. Cleaning food off the floor around where my child ate. Laundry. Making beds. Dusting. Paperwork. Taxes. Thinking of meals to prepare. Grocery shopping. Folding clothes. Putting clothes away. Laundry....wait, has that made the list already?

Ladies, you know the list goes on & on & on & on & on.........I know. I'm totally grateful that I have these things on my list. But if you'll just give me one iota of a second to say - today I'm tired. Up at 5:30....worked out .....did my Sunday School lesson....got ready....taught 18 wild children...tutored afterschool until 4.......got home....hubby not feeling 100%.....went to grocery store to get chicken noodle soup & coffee....read to Grace from the Wal-Mart baby catalog (she's picked that "book" 3 nights in a row now. Totally into baby, I tell ya!) .....now, I'm staring at the unfolded laundry that sits, waiting, in my dryer - putting more pressure on me....screaming "I'm wrinkled! Come get me!"......I even think I took a minor 10 minute nap at 7:00 while Grace completely covered me in blankets.

Needless to say, this day was tiring. But this picure above of my in-law's spectacular view reminds me of what I'm looking forward to......Spring. Summer. The warm months. VACATION!

I shall go to bed now, dreaming sweet vacation dreams. Good night.

Oh, the Winding Path We Weave!

FBC - Malakoff Youth

My hubby.....and myself.....have both taken a winding path to our current destination in our careers. Both of us, luckily, tend to be the flexible type. So when about 8 months ago, Boog approached me with tears in his eyes, I knew something was different. He was a realtor. Realtors don't cry! Realtors sell....and live....and breathe the end result - "SOLD"! But not this time.

Fast forward several months and look above. You see the end result....or shall I say - the beginning?Youth ministry isn't for the light hearted. These are kids.... influenced by the strong magnet of friendship and trends and the 'who's in/who's out' mentality. I mean - can you even think of going into a highschool full of kids you don't even know and trying to strike up a conversation with them? Much less, trying to get them to talk back to you? Scary.

I'm proud of him. I'm proud he listened to God's call on his life. ( I guess I should have taken his mom & sisters seriously when they all said "We thought he'd grow up to be a minister.")
I'm proud that he's struggling to find his way in that crazy world of "youths". I'm nervous about being a minister's wife......I'm nervous about many things. But I'm not nervous about this direction Boog's been called.....I guess that's why I'm still smiling at the end of this very long, haggardly day - hey....it's Wednesday. Wednesdays are killers.

Phil Wickham on the Prodigal Son

Our Father knows best

Do you ever look back and think about if you had gotten what you "wanted" that it would have been so awful??? So terribly the wrong thing. So horribly inadequate to what you have now, that you almost are embarrassed for even wanting it in the first place? But then, you know that it all is His grace and mercy that allowed you to come to that place of realization.....and you are humbled at the whole darn thing!?

I'm thankful that God knows me better than to give me all my "wants". Kind of like a child begging for candy when the parent knows it's not good for them. A good Father says no sometimes, right?

I remember desiring to have this big city career and make a name for myself. God knew better than to give that to me.....he knew I would be missing this revelation right now and the joy He had in store for me in a different direction. Our Father knows best.

I remember when Boog & I first got married....the wants we had were so misplaced. And to be perfectly honest, God actually .....humored us, if you will.......and gave us what we "wanted".....knowing that once we got it, it would be so hollow in comparison to Him that we would come running back. Again, God's the ultimate wise Father.

We try to make it on our own (the prodigal son)......after finding our wants void of anything worthwhile.... we find God, our Father, RUNNING towards us, giving us mercy & grace....desiring for us to come home.

It befuddles me to think of that picture of Love that only He could create.

Curbed Addictions

Addictions. Hmmmm. Let me ponder that for a moment. I've had many, but I'll stick with the winners at the top of my list.

#1 Before Grace, I would say I had an addiction to shopping. (Hey, living in the Big"D", with a little money to spare, and a husband who was often working weekends.... one of those alone could give a girl the need to shop!) That addiction was quickly curbed by moving to a small town with no shopping, husband switching careers, and baby being born.
Shopping addiction curbed.

#2 After moving to small-town U.S.A., I would have to say my addiction was decorating. (Or trying to decorate....sometimes I think I'm short one brain cell in that area!) We had a nice, big house that looked like it was right out of a Southern Living magazine. It was good times getting that place all gussied up. After living there for a few years, we moved into a house that was half the size, and we had to store or give away many of our decorations. Now my tiny home has just enough room for everything........but not room for much of anything else.

Decorating addiction forcibly curbed.

#3 Working out. In college (Gig'em!), I worked out at our fantastic rec center everyday - 2 pm, 2 am, whenever I could. At one point, I think I had signed up for 3 kinesiology classes in one semester - BACK TO BACK. Yes....tennis, then off to a hour of weight lifting, then an hour of aerobics. Not smart. Anyhoo, after baby, it took a while for me to get back to the gym. She's 3 now and I'm just now hitting the gym regularly - which I intend to keep this habit up. No flabby arms here! I'm no longer psycho about it, just smart.

Work out addiction cur....no, managed.

#4 TV? Nope, not an addiction. I instead BLOG. (Dear Pastor Nathan, if you read this, I will make an appt. with you to help me overcome this addiction!) Blogging has become a habit for me. I enjoy it & love reading other blogs. It takes me maybe 20 min.....well, not this one....but usually 20 minutes flat to get one written, pics uploaded, and published. So no, I'm not letting Grace suffer too much. Well, does her thinking I have a job that requires computer time count?? I don't know.

Blogging addiction very much not-curbed.

#5 Addiction to anything that has the word "Santa Fe" , "Fajita", "Queso", "Sauted Bell Peppers", and "Taco Salad". I don't care where I go, I'll usually order something that has one of these 5 words in it. I don't try to expand my palate - I love my palate as it is. It could be much worse, I know. So no....
Spicy Food addiction NOT curbed.

All that to say, that since #1 has been curbed for quite a while now, whenever I do get the chance to shop (which is rare, thanks to Dave Ramsey!) I tend to get quite excited! So I've held onto these little precious gems, just waiting for that perfect shopping day when the skies are blue, the birds are singing, the sales are going, and Boog's a babysittin'.....

What to purchase with these? Now the lower one...the range is limited. I usually will just get my very favorite Body By Victoria panties....at $12 each they are ridiculously expensive, but ridiculously comfortable! But with the above, I wonder should I buy a cute little dress, like below? Accessories? Who knows?

This would look so cute with summer clothes!

So much to think about (and try on)! Do you get this excited about gift cards?

30 is the new 20!

The invitations (thanks, Ang!)

Last night was my husband's 30th surprise birthday party! Ok. Well, it wasn't really a surprise for he is, as I've said, smarter than your average bear. I fretted the whole week before, not of him finding out, but if there was going to be enough room at the BBQ joint...it was rather small and Boog has a HUGE family. But everyone squeezed and enjoyed the night. And Boog?As a true 30-year-old, he went to his surprise party with a persistent cough, a bruised rib cage, and all the aches and pains that come with getting old! Happy Birthday dear!

The party - Cripple Creek BBQ with family & friends

The familyOpening presents

Scrapboard pictures - thanks Rosemary!

"Honey, I got a ....."

"puppy."

That's right. The word that sends emotions reeling - for many different reasons. Joy? Sweet puppy breath excitement? Knowing that the next few weeks are going to be mind-numbingly similar to having an actual human newborn baby?? All those wrapped in one?

My husband is turning 30 next week. Thus, his present from his sister is a puppy. Do I sound excited? Ok. Confession. When I saw him, he was precious....as you can see above. And after the first night of whining ( which my husband so graciously attended to all his needs) I still found myself actually wanting to pet the darn thing in the morning. And as I type this, he's dreaming little doggy dreams, probably of his brother & sisters he's left behind.

Grace loves him. She asked today, "Does he know us yet, mom?" I told her maybe a little....like we know the mailman. That made sense to her.

And the name?
Boo.
Our first dog was Scout, our second was Atti, and now it's Boo. To Kill a Mockingbird or bust!

Let me go to sleep now, so I can wake up at 2 am and help this newborn tee-tee in the proper place.