Puzzle-mania!

My four year old has gotten the "puzzle bug". It's all consuming and time consuming. It all started when his grandma bought him a glow-in-the-dark puzzle from the dollar bin at Target. He put it together in no time flat and was hooked. In the last week, we have had to buy him no less than 3 more puzzles (not including the free one from Wendy's). He is starting now to take them apart and put them back together again! And of course, we can't put them away. We are running out of table space!

I'm glad he loves puzzles. It's so much better for him than Nintendo (again, an addicting game!). He's pretty proud of himself when he is done and ready to move on to the next one. I always remember our preschool director saying she can tell the kids who worked on puzzles as a child.......I hope Jason is one of them!

Food, beautiful food

I love food. I'll admit it. I love it more than my children some days. Food doesn't talk back, always makes me happy, and doesn't make a mess (if you order take out!). Of course, this also explains my weight, but that's another issue for another day. Today, we're focused on food.

We had the great privilege to eat at The Lady and Son's in Savannah and it was delicious. First, before you eat, they bring out these delicious cheese biscuits on top of a Ho cake. The Ho cake is basically cornbread in the shape of a pancake and tastes great with syrup. Yummy! I could have eaten these all day long.

We decided to order the buffet for lunch, which consisted of 2 types of chicken, pork, and a ton of veggies including her famous mac and cheese.

This is what my plate looked like when I got back to the table. What was hysterical to me was that there was a salad bar. Really?! A salad bar at Paula Deen's? Who the heck would eat that? Not me - what a waste of stomach space.

Gosh just looking at that picture makes me hungry. I love the Cracker Barrel, but now it has lessened in my mind after this lovely food!

Next was dessert. My friends surprised me and had a waiter sing Happy Birthday to me while bringing out the Ooey, Gooey Butter cake! That was fun (and embarrassing!) I also got another dessert that came with my meal in banana pudding. Gosh it was all delightful and we needed naps after it. But it was a great place to stuff yourself after a great morning of running. I love that place. I truly do!

Ok, so here it is, the highlight of the weekend for me!

As his mamma, Paula Deen would say, "Aint he purty y'all?" Oh, my word Jamie Deen is so cute! That's him with me right before the race (thank God it was before because he wouldn't have come within 10 feet of my stinkin' body after). And yes, he has his hand on my shoulder. Could I look any happier? I mean really! No wonder I was struggling the whole race - my heart started racing before the gun went off - I mean, wouldn't yours? Here's how it went down. I spotted Michael, Paula's husband, right beside the stage before the race. Now I wouldn't have known it was him, except that Paula was doing the opening ceremony and being perceptive as I am (as my friend Dawn tells me) I put two and two together. Then I saw Jamie and Bobby Deen next to him. Well, if I had been by myself there would be no picture, as I am a big enough chicken to be fried at KFC. However, because Nancy was with me (and things always get done when Nancy is around), she piped up and said "Let's ask him for a picture!" 'Nuff said! Now unfortunately for the picture of our group with Michael, it was somehow not taken as a picture, but as a movie. We asked some old lady (who shall remain nameless because I don't know her name, but if you look at the picture, right next to Jamie's hand on my shoulder - she is the culprit). She obviously had never seen a camera before and pressed the wrong button. Nevertheless, thanks to my sweet friends, I have the picture of a lifetime. He was gracious and kind to all of us, as was Paula's husband Michael. Honestly, I could have sat down right there and waited for my friends to finish the race because my day had been made!

More pictures to come tomorrow of The Lady and Sons restaurant, which thanks to my new friend August, we were fortunate enough to get into. You won't believe the pictures - they will have you drooling!

5k - I did it!

I just completed my first 5k in Savannah this weekend and am so excited that I finished! I ran the inaugural race of the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Savannah Georgia along with 3,000 other people (including walkers). I finished in 35 minutes without stopping - I ran the whole thing! That was the goal....not a certain time.....just to finish without stopping; without dying. I accomplished both, which I wanted to do before age 40 (3 weeks away), and now I can cross that off the list.

I have lots to say about this amazing trip and the great women I went with: Dawn, Christy and Nancy. You just can't pray for better friends than these girls. I will post more in the coming days.....including the one thing that topped crossing the finish line for me that occurred before the race. My heart almost stopped before the horn blew when this happened....more to come!

I am so thankful I ran it; so thankful I didn't die; so inspired by the survivors of this horrible disease. I pray what took place this weekend will save many women from having to live, and survive, breast cancer. More to come tomorrow!

Friday Funnies

Since I am on my way to Savannah to run in a 5k, I thought I would post these while I am gone. Have a great weekend! Funny things heard around our house this week: David has been raising funds for his school and was calling his grandmother to ask for a dollar donation for each lap he would run. He already got $20 from someone else, which, unfortunately for him, he thought was the amount to get a scooter in prizes. In order to get the scooter he needed to raise $20 a LAP - not total. So not knowing this information, he calls his grandmother and asks for a donation. She said "will $30 be enough?". His reply "Oh no grandma, you don't need to spend that much, I already got $20 from someone else." Jason responding to me calling him today "Yes, Mother. Mother of Pearl". Wonder where he heard that? Jason praying for one of his friends who got into trouble today at school "Dear God, please help Zachary to learn to be kind. Thank you for giving us sins. Amen." Needless to say this prompted a long discussion on sin and that God does not give us sins but FORgives us of sins.

MOPS Revisited

I had a great opportunity last night to spend some times with my MOPS girls again. My how I have missed them! I was asked to share my testimony on how MOPS affected my life to the girls, along with my friends Nancy, Kristina, and Jen. It was amazing to me how the Lord moved in all our lives through MOPS. I was especially thankful that my sister-in-law came to her first MOPS meeting with me last night. The Lord had been laying on her heart to start a group for her church, and she felt last night's meeting was made by the Lord just for her. She left more excited than ever about starting a group! As I had been frantically working on my testimony the last few weeks, the Lord again used my experience with MOPS to do a work in me. As when I took over as Coordinator for MOPS and felt completely over my head and out of control (not good for a type-A person like me), I today am feeling that way - only on a lesser level. Not knowing what the future may bring, and feeling a little cramped in this apartment, along with other everyday stresses have left me feeling hopeless some days. I again turned to my normal comfort zones for happiness: food, wine, chocolate, vegging out in front of the tv, etc. It has not been good for me and my mental health on most days. But as I was writing my testimony that I would speak to these ladies, the Lord whispered in my ear "why aren't you turning to me now like you did back then?" I couldn't read the words "I know I can do anything through Christ who strengthens me" without feeling a pang in my heart that I wasn't really living it. Did I really believe what I was writing? I did back then, when I felt to desperate for his help and his love and his comfort. But what about now? Somewhere between last May when I "retired" from my position, to today, I had lost the intimate connection I had with my loving Father. The only answer I have for that loss is that I didn't need him as much. I was back to the day in, day out of everyday life and I said to myself "thanks Lord. You were really there for me in my time of need, but I can take it from here. This is boring, easy stuff. You can have a seat over there for now." I still had my quiet time, but not the on-my-knees, "please help me Lord" desperation I had back then. I suppose it's human nature to only cry out to the Lord in desperate times, but why? Why do I ever presume I can carry on with my life without his presence? The Lord has shown me once again this week that I can do nothing apart from him. If I try to do the basic things without his help, I will fail. My marriage will suffer; my family will suffer; I will suffer - and I have. He has shown me, through my own written testimony, that he wants to be the center of my life. He wants me to come to him with everything - life altering or not. I am grateful once again that he used MOPS to draw me closer to him and show me the way.

Weekend Wrap Up

What a glorious weekend to celebrate the resurrection of our Savior! We attended the Tenebrae service at our church Friday night and it was very moving. We then spent Saturday looking for shoes for me (no fun!). My poor husband and sons - what great troopers they were! We did baskets for our boys this year - after saying all month we weren't going to do it. My husband said "why don't we buy them Target gift cards and draw bunny ears on top?" Nice try honey. We really were going to do the gift cards, but then the boys kept talking about all they stuff they were going to get in their baskets and Mommy felt guilty. So I ran out Saturday to Target and bought baskets (ours are still in storage somewhere) and some candy. We did do gift cards, but at least they were in a basket full of goodies. What a sucker I am! One day I am going to hold fast to taking the easy way out! Sunday was a beautiful day to spend with family after church. The kids looked for Easter eggs at Grandmas and then we all hung out and went through old photos my mom had brought back from my grandmothers house in Oklahoma. Here are a few pictures.

Here is "Uncle Rick" helping to open the Easter eggs. Jason, the family clown, goofing off outside! What a great day for baseball - which is always a must when my family gets together. 5 boys and 2 men - sports is what they live for! Check out my nephews in their white t-shirts! My sister-in-law had taken off their dress shirts to play. My kids never wear t-shirts, but my nephews look so cute in them! Here's our newest addition - all girly! Elliana Grace is getting cuter by the minute!

House hunters be alert!

We have been hunting for a house for a while and came across a shady little plan some realtors are using to sell homes. We found a house that we loved and tried to negotiate a deal, but were duped by the sellers and their agents. Prudential used a "range" of prices the seller would "entertain". We gave them two offers in this price range and they rejected it. Not only did they reject it, but they were very unprofessional to our agent. They have yet to sell this home. Our realtor, TJ Larsen, wrote a great article on Value Range Marketing based on our experience, and Allen Norwood of the Charlotte Observer interviewed him. This article was published in Saturday's paper of The Charlotte Observer and you read it here http://www.charlotteobserver.com/222/story/654622.html

23 years ago today.....

My husband took me out on our first date 23 years ago today. Our first date a week before was foiled somehow. We were supposed to meet to go bowling and one of us got the wrong place. As I was in high school at the time and didn't have a car, my mom had to take me to the bowling alley. We somehow missed each other that night, but on April 11th, 1986, we tried it again went on our first date - bowling.

There have been many bowling trips since then and our family has changed a lot, but my love for him has only grown deeper. He is the best gift God could have ever given me. I mean, what other man would spend the Saturday before Easter shopping for shoes with his wife?

Thanks, honey, for asking me out 23 years ago, and all the things you have done for me and our family since then. I love you!

(This wasn't our first date - it was our second prom together a year later. Gotta love the hair!)

Baseball's opening day!

Yesterday was our son's opening day of baseball. I love this team and all the parents involved. The team is the Muckdogs, of all things! It was an awesome game and we won! David made all 3 outs in the first inning for his team while playing 2nd base. He even turned a double play! His friend Hunter did an awesome job pitching. This is the first time we are all playing kid-pitch instead of coach-pitch. I am amazed at the speed and accuracy 9 year olds have. I swear if I were pitching I would have taken a few heads off!

David's best friend Keegan drove in the winning runs. It was an awesome day and perfect weather. I look forward to this year with them.

Of course, Jason had his best friend Riley there to cheer them on.....when they weren't killing ants on the hill of course. Awesome day!

Why now?

I've been hearing that question a lot. I've also been asking that question a lot. Our church is going through a change that a lot of people are struggling with - expansion to a new area in uncertain times. "Why now" is the question that seems to be on everyone's mind. Why, when things are so tight and there are so many changes within our church, do we have to add this on top of it? It doesn't make sense. We also have been struggling to find a house. We found one, then lost it. Found a couple of others that we were sure we could make a decision on. We couldn't. The only reason we have for not buying either one is that we don't have a peace about either. They both are great houses; they both are within our price range; they both fit our family perfectly. Yet, we let them go. It doesn't make sense. I think about Mary, the virgin mother of Jesus. How she must have asked those same questions to God. "I've been faithful to you Lord and am engaged to be married Why now?" It doesn't make sense. I think about the disciples as they watched Jesus being crucified. Why now? He has so much to do; he's only just started. It doesn't make sense. Things don't always make sense to us. The elders of our church have been praying about this for years. Doors were closed over and over again - and then they were opened wide. I believe there is a peace among those that are starting this journey. It may not make sense to me, but it makes sense to God. I don't know why we can't get comfortable with these houses. All I know is that Rick and I both feel this way and are continuing to pray about it. God knows the future. It may not make sense to me, but it makes sense to God. Jesus being born of a virgin and suffering so horribly at such a young age. It didn't make any sense to those of the time, but it does to us now, doesn't it? I thank God for all of those "untimely" things that happened centuries ago so that I might have a relationship with the One who created me and loves me. The path of convenience isn't always the road the Lord wants us to take. As a matter of fact, when you look at the people who made the biggest impact on the Kingdom, they took the path of MOST resistance. Their reward on earth was little, if any. But their reward in heaven is great. I don't like to think that the Lord wants me on a rough path. I like my smooth little paved road with white lines and directional signs. It makes me happy. It makes me feel safe. But when that road - no matter how beautiful it may seem ahead, gives me an unsettling feeling, it's time to get off and regroup. For the Lord's peace is our directional sign when everything else seems foggy. "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27

A chore is just a chore, unless of course you're four!

My little Jase is a handful - I'll admit it. He's a cute handful, but nonetheless. Part of the reason is because he thinks he's 12. He wants to do everything his 8 year old brother can do - only better. On the way to church on Sunday he asked his father and I when he was going to start getting an allowance like big brother. After thinking about this for a while, we decided to give him a chore that is all his - catered to what he likes to do.......spray Windex. Now he still has other things to do that are expected, like pick up his things and carry his dish to the sink after supper, but my husband came up with a great chore for him. Every night he is to clean the bathroom sink with Windex and paper towels.

Last night was Day 1 of the chore. Wow was he excited! He sprayed and sprayed until he could spray no more. My oldest went in the bathroom to check on him and said "wow, it wreaks in here!" Jason was so proud of himself when he was done. He even sprayed the floor, toilet and mirror (oh joy!). I'm proud of him too. This morning he hollered at me on his way to the bathroom "Mom, I'm going to the bathroom! The CLEAN bathroom!"

Mary and Martha and Me

I'll be honest, I've had some long discussions with God about the whole Mary and Martha thing. Books have been read, studies have been done, and yet, this story has always irked me. Mary, as you remember, was the one who sat at Jesus' feet and listened while Martha was busy in the kitchen and irked. Martha finally gets worked up enough to say something to Jesus. "Lord, I'm in here doing all this work and Mary is doing nothing - ask her to help me!" Jesus responds "Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." Because I am a type-A, "get things done" kinda person, I obviously have strong feelings towards Martha. When I read this story in the Bible, I picture Mary sitting on the floor at the feet of Jesus, flowers in her hair, dressed in a long white gown (ironed by Martha) smiling - oblivious to her surroundings. Oblivious to what it takes to run a home, or do laundry, or be ready for such a guest as the Savior of the world. I read it and I'm upset. I mean, really, if all of us were like Mary nothing would get done! I picture Mary never worrying about anything because someone is always taking care of what should be her responsibility. Poor Martha - getting the shaft. "Sure you can sit there and listen to him" I see her saying to herself "because I'm in here doing all the work! Must be nice!" It's hard when you read the Bible at times to get a true picture of who a person is. Mary loved Jesus very much based on scripture ,and I am taking great liberty to picture her as a 60's flower girl (even though she does use perfume and wipe Jesus' feet with her hair). Nevertheless, I received new insight to this story on Saturday by Whitney Capps from Proverbs 31. In John 12 verse 2, a dinner is given in Jesus' honor and it reads "Martha served". I don't think this was just a little tidbit. I think it shows that Martha was still being Martha. While her sister was wiping Jesus' feet with her hair (being Mary), Martha is again doing what she does. Jesus didn't tell Martha to stop being herself. God created her and serving is part of her spiritual gifts that her heavenly Father gave her. Thank God for people like Martha! When Jesus said Mary had chosen what is better, he didn't tell her to never clean again; never cook again; never serve again. Jesus was there, in her presence, and yet she was busying herself with tasks. How many times am I missing out on being in the Lord's presence because of my task-oriented nature? How many times in teaching little children in Sunday School do I miss out on a "holy moment" because I am too busy preparing for the craft? How many times do I sit in church wondering where we are going for lunch instead of opening my heart to worship my Lord? Oh my goodness the times I have missed because I have chosen the wrong thing! So many times I say "be right with you Lord, just let me throw in this laundry first so it can be going while I talk to you. Oh, and let me get the dishwasher going so that can be finished when we're done. Well, let me grab this one call - it will only take a minute and then I'll be right with you." Yep, I'm a Martha alright! The best thing about this story though is found in John 11 verse 5. "Jesus loved Martha and her sister"....... Did you catch that? Jesus loved Martha. Jesus loved Martha! That verse has forever changed my thoughts on the story of Mary and Martha. Jesus loves me and my task-oriented self. He loves me when I make my list, and he loves me when my list goes unchecked. He loves me. How can I not want to spend time with Jesus? How can I continue to put all these meaningless tasks above being in the presence of someone who loves me this much? A Savior who loves me just as I am - with all my faults and sins. Yes, the laundry still needs to get done and lunches need to be packed - but only AFTER spending time with the only one who can change my whole day around. Thank you Lord for new insight to your word every day.