Mystery Rash

calling all medical professionals...



I've put steroid cream (Triamcinolone) on it, and I've taken Prednisone pills for six days. It's still here with a vengeance and spreading like wildfire. I'm miserable.

I've had it for going on a month now.
It itches BADLY
It's triggered by heat

diagnose me!!!

Pigtails

With summertime here and the weather getting hot I'm excited to learn that my little girl's hair is FINALLY long enough to put up in pigtails!!!!

I'm in girly heaven!!! =D

For Donna =D

about a month ago, the kids and I were at John's house. Levi was playing in the playhouse outside and came running over to us to tell us that there was a bird trapped at the top of the playhouse.
sure enough, when we got over there we saw this little hummingbird just buzzing its little wings to death trying to escape, only, it didn't know how. You could tell the poor thing was just exhausted.
So, John held his hand up, and the hummer calmed down long enough to sit on John's finger and let John help him out of the playhouse. I got to snap a picture of John holding the bird before he released it, and the little guy flew to a branch on a tree to gather himself before going on with his day.
AMAZING!!!!!

Mother's Day 2007

Mother's Day.

This was my fourth Mother's Day and I have to say that it was the very very best one yet!!

It all started on Friday. Two of my good friends that I'm in an accountability group with had invited me to go to Omaha Nebraska to see Beth Moore. I told them that there was no way that I could afford the conference ticket, travel and lodging expenses, and a babysitter for the weekend. Well, Mindi says to me that if I could arrange for a babysitter that she had someone who would pay for the rest!!!!! So, at THE last minuted I got a college girl from church to watch the kids. We were going to drive to Nebraska. It's a four? five? hour drive. But, THE DAY BEFORE, mindi tells us that we are flying. Her dad has a private jet that seats eight and he was going to have his pilot fly us up there. There were five of us total that all ended up flying to Nebraska together and the trip was only one hour as opposed to a five hour drive. I'd never flown in a private jet before and I'm here to tell ya I never want to fly commercial again!! I've been completely spoiled.



We get in the plane and take off and one of the girls, Jessica hands me a giftbag. I thought it was a thank you gift for Mindi and so I was holding it while Jessica rooted around in her purse for her camera. I handed the bag to Mindi and Jessica says "what are you doing? That's for you." Inside was a card that read "happy mother's day! we love you mommy. Love, Levi and Audrey." and in the bag was a necklace. In the circle of girls I hang out with these days, they all have this particular necklace and I was the only one who didn't have one. Basically it's just a silver chain and then you buy separate rings to go on it and there are different rings that say different things. They bought three for me. Mine say "son," "daughter," and "courage."



The Beth Moore conference was EXCELLENT!!!!!!! I bawled my eyes out more than a few times. There were six THOUSAND women (ok, and a stray husband here and there that had been drug along) women in attendance at the conference. awesome! We got to sit in the second row from the front down on the floor which just happened to be right behind the hearing impaired section and I fell in love with one of the translators they had for the weekend. Seriously, I could not keep my eyes off of her. When she was signing the praise and worship I got goosebumps. I want to be able to do that! It is a passion of mine to fluently learn sign languge and use it as a ministry! (bet ya didn't know that about me, did ya?)



downtown Nebraska was a lot of fun!






We had one room at a Double Tree Inn for the five of us which, I personally thought was a lot of fun. (I'm sure Tina wasn't as thrilled.)




On the way home Saturday afternoon, Mindi gave up her seat as co-pilot and offered to let us experience it. I got to sit in the co-pilot seat for take-off which... on man... that's something I'll never ever ever ever ever forget!



Sunday I got up and took the kiddos to church. After church when I went to get Audrey out of the nursery, the ladies attending the nursery told me that my phone had been vibrating in my bag the whole time. I checked my missed calls and I had three calls from a number I didn't know. I checked my voicemail and a woman had been calling to tell me she had a flower delivery for me but couldn't find my house. So, I called the number of the florist that she left on my voicemail and it turned out they were right by our church building, so I swung by and picked up the flowers. I was thinking it was probably from my parents, since this was my first mother's day ever that I haven't spent with them. But, I read the card and saw that they were from John!! Is he not the absolute sweetest?!? I'm twitterpated!



at around 4:00 when it wasn't SCORCHING heat anymore, I took the kids to the park to play and then to Sonic to get something cold to drink. While I was at Sonic, Mindi called and invited us over to their house to grill out. So, I took the kids over in their swimsuits and my two kids and her three kids all played in the water together and her hubby grilled for us. I got to eat a yummy dinner and relax with a glass of chianti.

I seriously could not have asked for a better weekend!

I'm so blessed to have awesome friends.

Happy late Mother's Day to all my mommy friends!!!! I hope you were all treated like royalty


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Thursday Thirteen

I've been doing a lot of napping lately. Probably more than i SHOULD be doing.

So, today's Thursday Thirteen is going to be Thirteen Things That I Did Today That Didn't Include Napping:

1. Went to Wal-Mart and loaded up on Slim Fast "goodies" for the latest in my efforts to attempt to lose weight.
2. Met with the girls for lunch to discuss book club matters.
3. Did two loads of laundry. (yes, two MORE. yesterday I did two.)
4. Had a phone conference and arranged a meeting for tomorrow morning.
5. Booked a babysitter for this weekend so I can go see Beth Moore in Omaha with the girls.
6. Watched the "Getting Started" DVD that came with my Close To My Heart consultant kit yesterday
7. looked over Gold's Gym's classes for this month and wrote which ones I plan to attend on my calendar. (being proactive yanno)
8. Sent out a few hundred emails
9. Watched it pour down rain outside
10. Cleaned my kitchen
11. Took a bath and washed my hair
12. Watched Grey's Anatomy (ok, so this one hasn't happened yet... but it WILL!)
13. Loved on my kiddos every possible second that I could.

Shout Outs

Wednesday, Wednesday...

for the last, oh, however many weeks... (I'm actually too lazy to count)... Wednesday was my day to do my bible study in preparation for Take T.W.O. on Thursdays.

I woke up this morning, literally feeling like something was missing. Last week was our last week of group. Tomorrow I won't be driving to Woodcrest for study. I'm pretty sad about this.

To finish off the semester last week we had a brunch. Each class met with each other at their own tables and at each place setting were two or three cards that we could write on for whoever we wanted who we felt had been a blessing to us that semester. At the end of the session we all exchanged cards with whoever we wanted to give them to.

When I was sitting at the table I leaned over to Mindi and said "I don't know who to write my card to!" I seriously felt like I could have said something to each and every woman sitting at that table with me. So, in the end, I wrote cards to people who I know do not read this blog. Because for those of you who DO read me... I'm going to dedicate this blog to you.

Mindi:
Girl FRIEND! I never would have imagined four years ago that we would be where we are today. I always thought you were seriously cool and wanted to be your friend and I'm glad that I finally have that chance. I can't wait to start our accountability group... but yet, in a way, feel that we've already started! Thanks for being everything that I needed in a friend right now.

Jessica:
same goes for you! I'm SO glad that we met this semester and I can't wait to get to know you even more this summer! You are one of those people who I feel would jump through hoops for me... and you barely even knew me. You seriously rock!
p.s.-- I saw you at Wal Mart yesterday... sorry for not saying hi. haha.

Margie:
have I told you that I love your smile? Because I do... I love your smile. =D
It was great to meet you this semester, and I'm SUPER excited to extend that friendship into book club this summer!!! YAY!!

Tina:
Tina, Tina, Tina. why do I feel like we could have been sistahs? Thanks for your caring and brutal honesty with me this semester. Thank you for walking my journey with me. And, thanks in advance for the scrapbook sessions that we're going to have this summer! *wink, wink*
p.s. -- we need an excuse to get the boys together!

You ALL know how to get in touch with me... so, Um, i expect to see a lot of you all this summer!

thanks for blessing me this semester! i don't think any of you will ever fully know just how very much I needed you all at this time in my life. I thank my God every time I remember you!!

Imagine Me

Read my VisualDNA™ Get your own VisualDNA™

me:

Moods: Shopisticat
You’re romantic, sophisticated and love the beauty of wide open spaces. You can be a little nostalgic and love revisiting familiar places and memories. When it comes to art, you appreciate precision and hard work – real craftsmanship. You appreciate the history of a piece, the stories that it holds – you are a touch sentimental! As for music, you’re a discerning listener. You like to have the best available – always one step ahead. Your choice of treat shows you crave relaxation. Maybe you live a pampered life – or maybe you’re so busy you don’t seem to get any time to yourself. When you’re tense you need a little help to unwind.

Fun: Thriller
Oh – insatiable! Your thirst for affection never drops. You’ve got a high sex drive and appetite for lurve. For kicks you like to indulge in your great passions. You are happy to live life’s highs and lows; you are fiercely loyal and passionate. You like to be part of something big. When it comes to holidays, you reckon they should always be indulgent – a very special treat and a chance to recharge your batteries in luxurious surroundings as well as spending quality time with family and friends. What grosses you out? Good manners are essential. Prodding, poking and picking get your “yuk” factor ticking.

Thrillers can make the best of any situation – always a lot of fun to be around. They love to laugh, and have a bit of a naughty side.

Habits: Junkie Monkey
You never have enough rest - either you’re too busy, exhausted or perhaps just a little lazy? Either way your snooze is your best friend, and at times your worse enemy! You’re not neurotic about making healthy choices… you’ve got more of an easy going and carefree approach to your lifestyle… and a sweet tooth too. As for the home, you have very cool and contemporary taste. You have a simple approach to style, but you like things to have their place.

Love: Love Bug
For you love is about long term commitment, it means devotion and tenderness. When you think of freedom – nature takes over. Getting back, out into the wilderness is a big draw.

Love Bugs are the type to fall in love a thousand times a day. Their feelings snowball quickly and they are full of passion.

The Webs We Weave

I watched the new Charlotte's Web today with my three year old (Gosh, that sounds so weird to say! THREE year old! dang)

It's a pretty good movie. There were many times in the movie when I thought to myself "hey! that's good! I should remember that and blog about it!" So, I grabbed a pen and paper, took down notes... and my blog for today will be:

Things We Can Learn From Charlotte and Her Web

First of all...

There's a part in the movie where Wilbur (the pig, for those of you who haven't seen it) says to Charlotte (the spider) "Charlotte, what are you doing?" Charlotte replies "Thinking. I do my best thinking upside down. Blood goes to my head and perks me up."

So I tried it....

See!



And, the blood sure DID go to my head! Don't know that it perked me up any though. So, I'll continue to do all of my thinking right-side up thankyouverymuch.

Moving right along...

Salutations:
Charlotte: "Salutations is just a fancy way of saying hello."
Wilbur: "Oh, Hello! Hey, since you said salutations, does that mean we're friends?
Charlotte: "hmmm. I suppose it does.
[Wilbur dances around giddily]
Goose: "Hey kid, what's going on over here?"
Wilbur: "Oh, sorry, I just made a new friend, that's all."

If only making friends were so easy, huh?!

SALUTATIONS!!

Promises:
In the beginning of the movie, Fern's dad is getting ready to kill Wilbur because he was born the runt of the litter. There were eleven pigs and only ten teats on the sow. So, Fern promised to take care of the pig. Later in the movie, Fern's dad approaches Fern and tells her it's time to get rid of Wilbur... that he's no longer a baby and can't stay in the house with her anymore as a pet. This is the dialogue that followed:

Fern: I promised I'd take care of him.
Fern's Dad: "Well, i'm letting you out of your promise."
Fern: I didn't promise you. I promised Wilbur."

Wow!

Reminds me of who I'm making my promises to... and who I need to keep them for.


Trust:
Later on in the movie, the smelly old rat, Templeton, spills the beans to Wilbur that he is a Spring pig that won't live to see Christmas because the farmer plans to kill him and put him in the smokehouse. This upsets Wilbur and he talks to Charlotte about how they can keep him from being killed.

Charlotte: "I'm making you a promise right now. I am not going to let them kill you.
Wilbur: "You're a spider! You're little, they're huge! How are YOU going to stop them?"
Charlotte: "I have no idea, but it's a promise. And promises are something I never break. Just don't you worry about it, Wilbur."
Wilbur: "Ok charlotte. If you say so."

The reason this struck me is how very completely trusting Wilbur was. He only questioned Charlotte ONCE, and all it took was for her to say "I don't break my promises... trust me." and he says "ok" and walks away with complete faith that Charlotte will deliver on her promise.

If only there were more people like Charlotte in this world who intended to keep their promises... and if only more of us were like Wilbur... complete in our faith.


and my favorite...
at the part of the movie when Fern's dad tells her that Wilbur isn't a pet anymore and has to go, Fern's mom suggests sending Wilbur across the street to live at Fern's uncle's farm. While Fern is carrying Wilbur across to the farm and into the barn, the narrator of the movie is talking...

"It was just a big red barn full of typical stuff. Come to think of it, it couldn't have been more ordinary, but, sometimes when you take two ordinary things and put them together at just the right time, there's a chance they'll become two less ordinary things. that runty pig for instance, and that big old smelly barn. One sniff and you knew it was a place full of living things. But that didn't necessarily mean it was full of life. Nope, for that, this barn needed a pig. Only... no one knew it yet."

I just love that!

*sigh*