FYI

My computer has been overridden with viruses and spyware. Beware. I'm working on it. You'll know when I'm back online...

Memorial Day Weekend - Saturday

What a wonderful day (outside of the fever that brought in the day). We were supposed to go to the lake this weekend, but with M's fever we thought it best to stay home (and not infect the rest of the extended fam). But, we had to redirect the kids' energy before they went on strike. We spent a large part of the day outside on the deck and brought out the baby pool. It kept the kids busy ALL DAY LONG. Seriously, you'd think we deprive them or something.

Somewhere in there my sisters stopped by with a few pictures for me to play with (I called and begged for more ammunition). So here are a few pics I got to fiddle with today. Also, I feel the need to post the original so you can have something to compare them to. (Pictures from today should show up here shortly.)

Before

After

BeforeAfter (Sorry, Ty. You were doing that funny thing with your mouth again... :-)



Before
After

Seriously...

I can't stop.

'Somebody stop me!' Wasn't that in one of the old Batman movies? Aaaanywaaaay...

I guess being housebound isn't so bad when everyone naps and you HAVE to spend your time doing this b/c everything else is too loud and would wake someone up. Riiiiiiiiiiight.

This was the playgroup Christmas party. Nana succeeded in getting the cotton ball on her nose. I don't remember what the point of this game was...

This was Easter 2006. M was almost 2... *sniff* *sniff*

This was May of 2008. I can't believe it's been a year since I took this!!!

This was December 2008 at Crayola Land.

Food!

For whatever reason, every time I try to take a picture of my dishes they turn out terrible. So, I'm going to go ahead and post a few of our family favotites and see if I can't do some research that will give me a clue as to what I'm doing wrong. (See what I did there? If I tell you I'm going to do it, and I go ahead and post this, then I have to get it done... maybe).

I make this on a regular basis to freeze for Hubby's lunches. He can throw a frozen serving in his lunch box and by lunchtime it's thawed and he can microwave it. It's chalk-full of fiber with all of the beans and he loves it. Also, I make it in the crockpot so it's so easy. AND if I make it for the fam we always eat it with fritoes, cheddar, and sour cream. So you don't have to miss out on the fat :-)

Incidentally, this is what I served the night we told my folks I was pregnant with our first. We put pacifiers in their bowls :-)

Taco Soup

1 ½ to 2 lbs. ground beef – browned and drained
1 large onion chopped (add to hamburger to brown)
1 can chili beans
1 can pinto beans
1 can black beans (drained and rinsed)
1 can rotel
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can diced green chilies
1 can corn
1 can hominy (we often omit this)
1 can tomato soup
2 pkgs taco seasoning
1 pkg ranch dressing mix
salt and pepper to taste
Add all ingredients (undrained-except black beans) and cook 2 hours or longer (I usually use a crock-pot on high). Serve with grated cheese, fritos, or tortilla chips.

(recipe from Helen Coe)

Addictive

I can't stop! This is too much fun!

Cranky Mommy (I mean kids)!

So apparently, we're sick. P came down with a nasty fever that didn't even really want to respond to medicine. But I gave him another dose before I went to bed and actually slept better than I expected to. I guess I have been around the block a few times by now.

Anyway, he woke up fever free and we haven't seen it since. The other two munchkins haven't shown any sign of fever all week. But we have had runny noses galore. And CRANKINESS. My oldest has sprouted a tude I've never seen before and it has tested me! I want my sweet little eager to please girl back!!

So we're housebound. We are sitting inside drinking fluids and wiping noses during this beautiful weather. But we're surviving and hopefully we'll have made a full recovery in time for Memorial Day Weekend! Here's to that! Happy Thursday!

Yeah Photoshop!

Just sharing my before and after of a recent photo I've been playing with... I wish this photo were large enough for you to see the liquid consistency in her eyes. Oh well, another time then.

Lame Blogger

Okay, so I'm a lame blogger. I have so much to learn.

I started reading a friend's blog about a month ago and was totally impressed and hooked. First of all, she's a friend from high school that makes me feel like I'm reading about my own childhood. Second of all, this sounds silly since I already had my own blog, I had no idea that the blogging world at large existed. I mean I knew there were a lot of bloggers out there, but the ones that directly spoke to me? The large number of mom/wife combo bloggers out there?

It's a whole new world! Via my friend's blog I discovered really how broad your blog can be. And how interconnected it could be! I began following her links to other blogs and lo and behold! It's a community! Of a lot of moms just like me!

Which leads me to really the point of this whole post. I found this blog that is apparently like crack for me. I cannot stay away. This woman has a blog about, practically every domestic or rural passion I have. She lives on a ranch in Oklahoma and posts these amazing photos of their land, cattle, family, etc. She has a passion for photography and a tutorial for Photoshop on her site. I dabble in Photoshop. I really don't use it to it's full potential - I don't have time! But I create the kids' birthday invitations and our Christmas cards there and that's been enough.

Not anymore. Part of my rationale for not learning how to better use Photoshop has been that I don't have time to take a class - but her tutorial is great! And free! And she has completely and totally sucked me in!!!

Also, you should know, she loves food. I LOVE FOOD! It's kind of embarrassing that I'm crushing on this woman I don't even know... Anyway, with her photography expertise her pictures of their ranch, her step by step recipe posts and family pictures are beau-tee-ful! There is so much on her site I could fall in and be lost for days. I'm resisting...

Anyway, she has inspired me to play around with Photoshop and maybe even take a few picture of my meals so I can post recipes later.

This is my first effort. Please be kind!

Powell David

My son is so.... what's the word? ...I don't know. He's somethin'. He is sweet, happy, rotten, frustrating, stubborn, cute, sport-loving, sensitive, grudge-holding... and a complete gift from God. I didn't see him coming in the least. Only God could have thought him up and put him together.


He loves to make everyone laugh. Especially his big sister. He adores any sport that includes a ball. It's the only thing before 2 that he had any trouble sharing. He worships his papas. He wakes up cranky like his mama. With his face all screwed up so he can't see anything yet.



He has a couple of new words. As in, he likes to say them a lot right now, not as in, he just learned them. 'Beautiful.' I know. Huh? He likes to tell me my hair looks beautiful. He got that from his daddy. He likes to say 'that's beautiful, Mom', it doesn't matter if it's food, a picture, the grass... you get the picture. But last week he was sitting on the couch with me and a commercial came on. It wasn't provocative or anything but when it was over Powell said, 'She's beautiful.' I died a little. Just a little. Broke my mama's heart in two. So wasn't ready for that. And speaking of, I don't think I ever will be.

The other word is 'okay.' Only it's pronounced 'oooohhh-kay-ee.' With a kind of sing-songy doubtful voice. Hilarious.

Me: Go potty, Powell.

Powell: oooohhh-kay-ee!

Like, 'Sure, Mom. But you'll be sorry!'

And he says it to everything. Everything.

This boy also has a thing for superheroes. Which is really funny to me since he hasn't seen any cartoons of spider-man, batman or superman. Is that sad? Anyway, makes me wonder about the male genetic code. Seriously. I'm learning so much. :-)

Today Was Nana's Last Day of Preschool This Year.... *sniff*

Who me? Sad? Noooo.... Okay, maybe a little. She's so big! She has these long, thin, beautiful, I-can't-believe-my-daugther-has-those limbs. She's so grown up and lovely. And sweet.

This is Miss Katie and Nana right after she awarded her 'kindest heart.' *smile*

And forgive that (as my friend Melissa used to say) luscious mane of hair that will not be tamed. I'm still looking for a way to fix it that it will not cause it to revolt. It's just that fine!

Anywho, here's my firstborn singing and signing, 'God is good, God is good, His love endures forever.'

Yes, Sweetie. He is. He so is.

Nasal Rinse....

So, I'm just gonna say, I've just had my first experience with a nasal rinse. I've been congested nonstop since early February and the doctor said it's tough stuff to get rid of even if it's not infected (I'm sure this is all very interesting to you!). Have any of you ever done this? So weird... talk amongst yourselves....

Camping, Soccer, and Mother's Day!

So much to catch up on... We went camping a couple of weekends ago. The kids were so excited! It was such a different experience with two older kids (we're talking almost 3 and almost 5 :-). Lola stayed with my parents. They road their bikes and we weren't running around keeping 'the baby' out of everything all of the time. It was a sweet look at what the coming years will hold. This is my little boy seriously thinking about something very important. Aren't they cute in the truck with their pajamas still on?

And look at this fresh face. Oh that dewy skin!What, Mom? I'm camping here! Lola got to visit. And she was not happy about the 'forced out of my lap for a picture' situation.

Here we have one of Nana's favorite faces. Careful. You get that timing wrong and I'm not going to think that's funny!

Here we have Lola at M's soccer 'practice'. This girl takes her fluids seriously.

Have you ever tried to get a good group photo when 75% of the participants are under 5? This is Mother's Day. My kiddos took good care of me - care of Chris :-) To Nana's credit she made a gift and a card that included a poem at preschool. So sweet. I now own a coaster with her handprint on it... won't be getting rid of that, oh, let's see... EVER!

House Update

This is where I'm at. I'm trying to reconcile with God. I feel as though He has a plan to sell our house, but I think He wants me to believe that He won't. Does that make any sense to anyone? I keep thinking of Abraham. When he took his son up that mountain he believed that God was really asking him to sacrifice him! How many times have I heard the Holy Spirit whisper and said to myself, 'Well, God wouldn't ask me to do that!' What He wants is for me to obey. For me to have child-like faith. To seek Him with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.

So, I've been praying today. For God to make His desires my desires. For Him to help me believe (see Beth Moore's book Praying God's Word). For me to somehow sacrifice my longings for another place, a different house - even though I still think He's going to move us.

Have I lost my ever-loving mind?

Maryanna and Her Daddy

Once a year our church holds a Father-Daughter Dance. This year it was in March, but I'm just getting around to posting about it.

Do you have any idea how sweet this was?! My little 4 year-old accepting a corsage from her Daddy? They were so cute! When I think about how I feel about my Dad I just can't help but note that this is definitely the beginning of something beautiful. Is there anything like a little girl's adoration of her daddy?

I'm just so proud and so excited. Maryanna is not the type of girl that runs around in crowns all the time. She's not a tomboy but she's not overly into barbies either. She's actually very, very excited about starting soccer soon. Nevertheless, when Chris turned his full attention on her and she accepted her corsage, I could have sworn she was blushing. In a very sweet, my Daddy loves me sort of way... and she turned into a princess. Words cannot express the sweetness.

I've always heard, 'If a Daddy gives his daughter the attention she needs, she won't look for it anywhere else.' Kind of sounds like a threat doesn't it? But watching her demeanor transform in just a few seconds, and knowing from experience how a lasting relationship with your Dad feels, I know a Daddy's attention makes all the difference.

Love you, Dad.
Love you, Chris.

Lola

This child, this child! Lola is very, very loving and very, very ornery! You know how God slowly reveals more and more of their personalities as they grow? With every little bit this little girl shines a little brighter. It is truly breathtaking... and she's only 14 months! Lola Marie is truly a destroyer. Smart. Hefty :-) Her latest nickname is Heavy Duty. Or according to Papa - Pot-licker. Maybe we won't tell her about that one. She is NOT a picky eater. Of course, at this point no one's afraid to give her cookies and cake!


Bright blue-eyes and white-blonde hair, she blows me away. She sleeps in, takes long naps, and goes to bed early. She's so funny. She follows M and P around and loves to play with them. She'll do just about anything for a laugh and she is doted on by all of us. Wherever I take her - Sunday school, Bible study nursery, M's preschool or the gym, she is loved! Friends gather 'round at church hoping to hold her - even though it's work!



She's walking and into everything. She took her time about it but when she decided to do it she had a one track mind. At first she would fall and then crawl the remaining distance to her goal. It didn't take very long before she was falling, but then standing back up several times in a row even if her goal was only a couple of steps away. She seems as though she will be very determined.


She doesn't have a lot of words right now but I think it's only a matter of time (and the fact that she has so many people able to speak for her). She signs a little, but vehemently :)

She is a MANIAC in the bathtub. Literally, does log rolls and dowses her head repeatedly. Can't turn to refill the toilet paper roll when this ones in the tub!!!


Her hair seems to be in a hurry to catch up with her body at this point. Since her birthday its' doubled in length, it seems.


She is in such a hurry to grow up...and it's gone so fast already. Our baby isn't going to be a baby much longer!

Excerpt from Beth Moore's 'Praying God's Word'

I read this piece from Beth Moore's book Praying God's Word this morning and thought I'd pass it along.

My name is Pride. I am a cheater.

I cheat you of your God-given destiny...because you demand your own way.

I cheat you of contentment...because you "deserve better than this."

I cheat you of knowledge...because you already know it all.

I cheat you of healing...beacuse you're too full of me to forgive.

I cheat you of holiness...beacuse you refuse to admit when you're wrong.

I cheat you of vision...because you'd rather look in the mirror rather than out a window.

I cheat you of genuine friendship...because nobody's going to know the real you.

I cheat you of love...beacuse real romance demands sacrifice.

I cheat you of greatness in heaven...because you refuse to wash another's feet on earth.

I cheat you of God's glory...because I convince you to seek your own.

My name is pride. I am a cheater.

You like me beacuse you think I'm always looking out for you. Untrue.

I'm looking to make a fool of you.

God has so much for you, I admit, but don't worry...

If you stick with me

You'll never know.