Food for Thought

Worry ends where faith begins!

My Life as the Sitcom

A few years back, a family of one of my students won the opportunity to be a part of a series on ABC Family. What a hoot and a great memory. The filming crew actually came to our classroom to show how every angle of his life was a sitcom. Watching the crew set up and mike us was hilarious. They filmed us performing a funeral for our class pet the hermit crab. Luckily, my good friend and teaching partner, Lynn Cowell, actually made it to the big screen as she performed the ceremony. We even got to go to a little premiere party! I think Lynn won a TV at that party!!! I mean that girl got lucky...TV star and a TV to watch herself on the sitcom...come on...not bitter or anything! :) Just kidding! It was a great opportunity and an everlasting memory.
Anywho, I have heard several people over the last few years tell Brian and me that our life should be a sitcom. Not quite sure how to take that (Are we dramatic?), but it got me to thinking about this little blog. I will be posting every so often (which will be often) some of our sitcom happenings. This is only one of the crazy things that happened this week, but so worth sharing:






STORY: Everyone has been so kind to give my children toys that have to be blown up! I have a lot of hot air, but not enough for 5 pool toys. I planned on getting my father-in-law's air compressor, but found out that my nephew was in town. I decided to blow them up there, so the kids could play with their cousin. After an hour of trying to figure out that thing, I finally was finished. All toys fit in van except the motorized boat (Thanks-Shannon, Missy, and DeaAnna!). That darn darn motor made it impossible! I was not going to make two trips, so this is how we rode home...please note...we only live two streets over! Happy Laughing...

***We'll be in OKC visiting my family this next week, posts won't be so frequent!

PT Love...

With all that I hate about potty training, this is what I love...

She has no clue that pulling her pants down to potty in the front yard isn't appropriate! FYI...They were taking her potty chair out to pool...I think Daddy got distracted...looked out the front door to see her getting it done!

Miss Independent!

VBS...Crocodile Style

Last week flew by because we had VBS everyday. I love that I had the opportunity to play a role in the pouring of God's Word into little children's hearts. Not to mention, we have an amazing Children's Pastor that looks at every angle possible to insure children have a good time learning more about the Lord.

Having said that...I am plum exhausted and the wonderful, abundant Word wasn't the only thing that was pouring...the sweat flowed rivers down my spine. This wasn't because we were outside or that we weren't in air conditioning. I was a line leader for the 2 year olds! We also traveled to each station with the 3 year olds...double YIKES! Running here there and everywhere was the name of the game. I think I came home and took a nap with the kids 3 out of the 5 days. The most running came on Sunday morning for the program...we led our crew up on the stage and had a few decide to wonder astray...including Peanut! One child made a running jump off the stage and bolted to his mother! I HATE BEING IN FRONT OF A CROWD more than anything, so you know it was the Lord that I was even able to help manage the kids. I kept reminding myself that people love to come and see kids do funny things...guaranteed the VBS program brought a powerful message and a few laughs! Here are some highlights of the kids last week:

DRESS CRAZY to Scare the Crocs Away Day

PJ DAY

HAT 'N' Funky HAIR DAY

~Little Man's hair was spiked, but it fell down...it is funky without much work...the boy needs a haircut~

VBS SHIRT DAY

Father's Day Sunday/VBS Program

Brian took pictures of the program, but didn't get Peanut because she quickly was off the stage! The picture of her was taken afterwards...much more appropriate, don't you think? CONTAINED!

Anywho, we had a huge weekend with three parties and Little Man's last baseball game. I will try to post pics of those later!

Simple as That...

You may be wondering what we have been doing! Well, VBS mania (more to come...crazy busy) and celebrating a very laid back Father's Day! I had good intentions of sitting myself down and completing a little tribute to Brian and our fathers. Instead we took the time to enjoy a simple Father's Day complete with cinnamon rolls, church (VBS program), serving lunch up in our very own "Best Daddy Ever" restaurant, golf, more eating, and a camp out! Sounds crazy, but it was all very laid back and fun!
The one thing that I really have to share is about the cards we selected this year! The kids and I set out to find the perfect cards and were able to do just that with Peanut only trying to jump ship (cart) once!

A little funny...

Perfect WEDGE Shot

As serious as we got this year and fits our theme...

It is so simple, yet so true. Thank you for simply loving us!

DADDY Huddle...group HUG!

Happy Father's Day 2009!

Meet...my new Editor in Chief

I would like you to meet Kelley...also known as my sister and Aunt KeeKee to my children. Just recently Kelley took on a new role as my Blog Editor in Chief (volunteered at her own will). This brilliant woman was able to find several mechanical mistakes I have made along the way which have since been corrected. I am just so lucky and am willing to share her services with you...

LOVE YOU, LITTLE SIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Keeping the Heritage Alive

As of late, I have had an overwhelming desire to continue my family's legacy of traditions and rich heritage. It's amazing how being a parent makes your own childhood memories rush in like a flood. My family teases me all the time about holding onto memories, but this burden is so much different. I think it has been a compilation of lots of different events over the last few years. Maybe it was seeing a photograph, my cousin, Allen took while showing his girls the Water Wheel our Grandaddy Bill built with his bare hands for Edisto Gardens,



or seeing that my Grandma's garden is flourishing because my Aunt Brenda is helping to keep her heritage alive,



my uncle passing away and my family uniting together,



or recalling stories of my Grandparents love for the Lord or singing hymns around the piano. Whatever the reason, the burden is heavy and too valuable to not cherish the past.

More than anything, I want my children to speak of me as a mother striving to be a Proverbs 31 woman. My mother and father carried on their spiritual heritage and I want to continue to pass the torch...the only torch that matters.

A friend asked me how I will pass on the heritage, which got me to thinking that my answer is simple, but living it isn't always so easy...

*put Christ first in everything I do

*cherish every moment and opportunity to share memories

*continue to visit all of our families spread throughout the country

*share photos of my family that are far away

*capture and incorporate family history and tradition

*thank the Lord for our supportive families

*use this blog to keep my family connected

With Much Love for my family!

Laugh at Myself

I think it is good to laugh at yourself! For some reason, I seem to be laughing a lot. What do you think that means? Today, I had an appointment to get Peanut some ear plugs. I was rushing us out of the house because I had a feeling that I had the wrong time down...which was correct. We were on our way lickety split. I was feeling good...singing the "Wheels on the Bus" at the top of my lungs when I started to notice how comfortable my shoes felt. I didn't recall them feeling this way earlier in the day. Naturally, I looked down, to see that I had slipped on Brian's shoes. Not only did they not match my outfit, they are about 2 times the size of my 5 1/2 feet! Ugh! I was too far down the road to turn back, so I busted into the Doctor's office with these on...

The lady helping us kept making comments about Peanut's cute shoes, so I figured it was to overcompensate for my GINORMOUS (made up word?) ones!

After feeling stupid in the office, we exited through the elevator. Only...we left with a loud alarm...yes...Peanut hit the elevator emergency button and called the police department. Mortified on many levels, I decided I was over being embarrassed and took the opportunity to do some shopping for Father's Day. Let me say that heads were turning...I just smiled and kept my head up high! Happy Laughing...

Learning the BLOG world

Still learning the tricks of the blog trade. I actually wrote about my favorite Bike Lady and was waiting on a picture of her. Got the picture and wanted it to be posted for yesterday's date, but somehow it ended up a few posts down...so if you are interested...scroll down to read more about the infamous neighborhood bike lady!

Oh, also, along the blog learning status...I am looking at ways to make my little blog cute and stylish. I tried to use some of the free ones (good idea-Sarah Bragg...), but am having a hard time getting it to stick because of my computer! Bare with me until I can find the best fit or feel okay about spending money on the blog and/or a new computer!

BTW, I wanted to link you up to Sarah's page without it looking like a webpage, but still learning how to do that too! Check her out, she wrote an amazing book for young girls, but it was a great reminder for me too! http://sarahbragg.blogspot.com/ :)

MOMMY TIP: Mini Ice-Pack

There are a couple of mommas that have been reading this mini-blog. I want to be the first to admit that I am no Wonder Mom. I do, however, have a great passion for being the very best mom that I can be. One way, I try to climb the Mommy Mountain is by picking up little tips along the way and using them to make our lives a bit easier. I thought I could try and pass on some of that knowledge to those of you reading this blog. So, every so often, I will try to drop some of my favorite little tips or new tips I pick up! You guys can e-mail me some of your tips and I can post those too!

MOMMY TIP: Use a fast-food condiment packet as a mini ice-pack for kiddle wounds.

Snag a few next time you're out...pop it in the fridge and viola. They are the perfect size and my kids love them!

Good Times ANYTIME, ANYWHERE

My parents rolled into to town, as a surprise, when traveling back home from the funeral in South Carolina...a bit out of the way, but a much needed visit! We were able to have two short yet fun filled days with them! Daddy is still recovering from his shoulder surgery, but he was a real trooper and accompanied us on our little excursions. We were able to watch Little Man receive two "prizes" at basketball camp, play in a baseball game, and perform a cowboy show full with costumes, props, and music. Peanut demonstrated her ability to potty on the potty, sing at the top of her lungs, and ride a Barney ride! We also hit the Wal-Mart clearance aisle, IKEA, and Penn Station (yummy)! Some of the big highlights were at Wal-Mart and in our very home!

Move Over, New Bike Lady in Town

BIKE LADY...GRANDMA DEBBIE


For years, my mother-in-law has been known as the BIKE LADY. You can ask any of our neighbors who is referred to as the BIKE LADY and they will direct you to her. Debbie uses this form of exercise to enjoy a beautiful day, spy on her grandchildren, snatch the latest gossip, and of course, stay in shape. She can be seen out in heavy force in the evenings, every day of the week. Dead serious! In fact, when Brian and I bought our first house, we purposely bought it out of her bike range and route. For kicks, she proved us wrong by biking over!
For a long time, Debbie has been the head honcho, but I am sad to report that a new lady has moved in and may be trying to take her place. Naturally, this has become a huge joke! I don't think she will ever admit it, but she may feel a bit threatened! There should be no worries because I have had my eye on her! She just isn't as friendly as our BIKE LADY, definitely doesn't lend a helping hand, hug us, or buy gifts for our children. In fact, Debbie could whip her tail feather in a bike race! THIS IS A SHOUT OUT TO GRANDMA!

YOU will always be our favorite BIKE LADY!

Garage Sale Find?

Garage Sale season is upon us! Much to my mother's frustration, garage sales and "big" TRASH Day are enticing for my father. He feels like someone's trash could be his treasure someday or may be a supply he needs to fix something! Growing up, I thought his little hobby was a bit embarrassing, but I will admit that we got some good use out of some of these items (i.e. pool basketball hoop). Now, that I am old and mature (HA), I do see that one can get a great deal like last year when my mother-in-law, Debbie, found me a white Pottery Barn bookshelf for my cookbooks! Just recently, she has started taking Little Man on garage sale adventures. He loves it, but sometimes Debbie doesn't have the heart to direct him on what to buy. So far this season, we have added all of these items to our "toy" collection. The biggest hit of the season are Little Man's new baseball pants. He wants to wear them everywhere including his own baseball games.

The pants are black with white pin stripes, have cute little buttons at the top, flair at the bottom, and fit his little tooshie quite nicely. They definitely aren't baseball pants, but they are adorable! I know what you are thinking...the previous phrases and words are not words that should come to mind when looking at boy baseball pants! YOU ARE RIGHT and I thought the same thing! Upon closer inspection, I found that the pants are actually girl dress slacks! If you know me, I encourage old fashioned imagination and individuality, but I am going to have to draw the line...no wearing the pants outside of this house! Sorry, Debbie! Brian, you can thank me by purchasing me some new sandals! :)

In Loving Memory

One of the sweetest men I have ever known, my Uncle Theron, went on to see the Lord. In true style, my loyal family has rallied together for support, love, and encouragement. I wish I were in South Carolina to hug my Aunt and family. Love you~

"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." Psalm 91:1-2

Forksicle

Have you caught the Forksicle craze yet? Probably not! You see in our household when kiddles have been sick, it is survival of the creatively fit! Mommy hasn't been to the grocery store this week, so that leaves lots of room for creative snacks! We thought that popsicles would be perfect way to soothe Peanut's sore throat, but wait, WE DIDN'T have any more! So we decide to venture out and make our own! They have these popsicle molds that make such cute little pops.

We actually used to have some, but I "guess" ours were cheaply made and broke after a couple of uses! The decision was made to kick it old school by using ice cube trays! The pressure was on to find sticks because we were out of these too! UGH! We scoured the kitchen like inventors to determine the best make shift stick! Little Man was full of ideas...toothpicks, skewers (yikes), and other random sharp objects. We finally decided on good old fashioned plastic forks. (Yes, I know, sharp edges! We did the best we could under the circumstances.) As I said before...survival of the creatively fit! This rare, but frosty treat was a huge success! Catch the craze...make your very own Forksicles today!

Look at Peanut's little "training" panties! So cute! She loves her big bro!

Sick...Real Sick

We went, on Monday, to the Ear, Nose, Throat Doctor to determine if Peanut would be needing tubes. Indeedy do, she does! I was almost sure that she had an ear infection in both ears because of her demeanor and the fever that consumed her Sunday night. Alas, I was wrong! The doctor did say she had fluid in her ears and her throat was really red. He said it probably was viral and wait few days before seeing her pediatrician. After another rough night, my Momma instinct kicked in and I decided to take her to get checked! So glad I did...the poor thing has strep throat! I feel really bad for her and feel a little sorry for Brian, Little Man, and me! You see if you know our Little Diva, you know if she ain't happy, ain't nobody happy! Hoping and praying she will be back to her bubbly little self soon!

Greatest Gift to Children

I don't plan on making this blog a soap box for all of my disgust with the TV world, but have a little thought that I wish I could share with Jon and Kate Gosselin! My Daddy has this saying that I have heard him say from the pulpit, to parents, and more specifically to Brian and me for YEARS.

THE GREATEST GIFT YOU CAN GIVE YOUR CHILDREN IS TO LOVE EACH OTHER!

If everybody lived by this rule, I just think that there would be a greater understanding of how to "do everything for your children." I am in no way saying that everybody is or can be perfect. Marriage and parenting are the hardest roles that God has ever given me!

One last comment that is completely random...did anyone notice how close that swing set was to their house? Not sure why, but I dreamt about it last night! HA...I know...get life!