And Its Good To Be Alive!

I love spring! And in our town, it is spectacular. The Bradford Pears, the Dogwoods, Azaleas, Wisteria and more make this place absolutely beautiful. I took the kids for a drive the other day, and these are some pictures I took while we drove through our town. Mmmmm. I just love to be outside and smell the fresh air and floral scents (makes up for the yellow/green pollen that settles on everything). These lyrics from a Geoff Moore song sum it up!

And it's good to be alive
To feel the wind in my face
See the blue in the sky
It's days like this I realize
What a gift it is
It's good to be alive 

This Week In Pictures

Here we are at the park again! The girls crawled in this tunnel and stuck their feet through the holes. I couldn't help but giggle and had to snap a picture.

The current topic of study in our house right now is insects! The kids enjoyed making these bugs this week. We made them with Crayola's Model Magic. I told them the bugs had to have 6 legs, 3 body parts and 2 antennae. Some of the 3 year old's didn't quite meet the requirements, but oh, well.

My hubby lined up a baby sitter Tuesday and we went on a date. Sadly, we don't do this often enough, but its fun when we do. And the food was yummy, too (as is all food I don't have to prepare or clean up after)!

Our daughter went to the dentist for the first time this week. She was apprehensive (true to her form), but brave. I took my camera to capture her on the chair, but wouldn't you know it, my batteries died! That never fails to happen at the most inopportune times. I wish I could have captured those big blue eyes looking at me with such concern. As it was, I snapped this pic when we got home and put on the t-shirt the dentist gave her! Our son goes in 2 weeks for his first appointment.

Professional Photos of Last Week's Wedding

Now I'm sure some of you think I need to "stop already" about this wedding. But I also know there are a couple of Grandmas and a few aunts who want to see my son the ring-bearer. So here is where you can go to see the wedding album. Truth be told, there are precious few pics of the ring bearer. But, even if you're not my mom or mom-in-law, you might enjoy these pics. Patrick Williams is a talented photographer and this wedding album is shaping up to be fantastic. It has the look of a magazine and believe me, this guy's photos are good enough to be in one.

Another Contest!

OK I guess I'm a sucker for these! This one is a drawing for a Dyson vacuum. Its over at 5 minutesformoms. Be sure and check it out for yourself. You must sign up by April 4th.

Contest!

Want to redesign your blog? Check out this contest. Drawing takes place on April 1st.

Wedding Meme

Wedding Meme found at Life is Like A Lunchbox. (Nan, thanks for being my blog mentor, whether you knew it or not. This new blogger learns a lot from you!)

1. Where/How did you meet?
Wedgewood Baptist Church Singles Sunday School retreat, Ft. Worth, TX; 1994; we were in the same small group. He was dating someone else. :)

2. How long have you known each other?
13 years

3. How long after you met did you start dating?
3-4 months. there was a lot of "group dating" before we actually started dating.

4. How long did you date before you were engaged?
1 year, 2 months

5. How long was your engagement?
5 months

6. How long have you been married?
11 years

7. What is your anniversary?
Feb 24, 1996

8. How many people came to your wedding reception?
About 200

9. What kind of cake did you serve?
White

10. Where was your wedding?
Crestwood Baptist Church, OKC, OK

11. What did you serve for your meal?
Cake, punch, mints and nuts

12. How many people were in your wedding party?
11 (4 bridesmaids, 4 groomsmen, 2 ushers)

13. Are you still friends with them all?
Yes. Sadly, one has passed away - killed in a helicopter crash

14. Did your spouse cry during the ceremony?
No. We both grinned from ear to ear the entire time.

15. Most special moment of your wedding day?
A college friend of mine could not be in my wedding party because she and her husband were serving as missionaries in S. America. Her parents came to my wedding (drove several hours). Right before I went upstairs for the ceremony, her Mom came into the dressing room to see me. I almost cried.
Another special moment was when another college friend conspired with my roomate to surprise me and showed up all the way from CA.

16. Any funny moments?
My sister, who was my maid of honor, got the train part of her dress wet in the toilet. I have pics of her using the blow dryer to dry it.

17. Any big disasters?
no, thankfully everything went off without a hitch!

18. Where did you go on your honeymoon?
Atlanta, Ga

19. How long were you gone?
1 week

20. If you were to do your wedding over,
I wouldn't really change a thing.

21. What side of the bed do you sleep on?
Left

22. What size is your bed?
Queen

23. Greatest strength as a couple?
communication, quick to ask & give forgiveness

24. Greatest challenge as a couple?
maintaining family time because hubby's schedule is so busy.

25. Who literally pays the bills?
Hubby earns the money, I do the paperwork.

26. What is your song?
don't really have one

27. What did you dance your first dance to?
didn't have a dance at our wedding

28. Describe your wedding dress:
White, princess neckline, lace

29. What kind of flowers did you have at your wedding?
stargazer lilies and deep red roses

30. Are your wedding bands engraved?
Hubby's is. "always yours" with the date

31. How old were you when you got married?
I was 24. He was 27.

This picture shows my dress, the cake and the flowers!

My Own Recipe Blog

Just wanted to announce the birth of my own recipe blog. Check it out here or on my side bar (family favorite recipes).

Wedding's Over!

We had fun this weekend being involved in all that surrounds a wedding. Our son was the ring-bearer and if this proud mama may say so herself, he was adorable! Because he is just 3 years old, we were crossing our fingers that he wouldn't distract from the wedding. We were also afraid he would panic when he saw the big crowd and refuse to walk down the aisle. But, he did great! You can check out the pictures I took of the rehearsal, rehearsal dinner, wedding day, etc. by clicking on the flickr in the sidebar. My photos aren't great, so I can't wait to see the ones the photographer took.

Sunday Reflection

Search me, know me
Try me and see
Every worthless affection hidden in me
All I'm asking for is that You'd cleanse me, Lord

Create in me a heart that's clean
Conquer the power of secret shame
Come wash away the guilty stain of all my sin

Clothe me in robes of righteousness
Cover my nakedness with grace
All of my life before You now I humbly bring

Written by Kathryn Scott and Mildred Rainey © 2003 Vertical Worship Songs (ASCAP) All Rights Reserved.

I Had A Revelation!

Today, I went shopping for myself. Oh boy, there is so much I could say about that. I could talk about how wonderful my neighbor was to keep my children while I was shopping. I could talk about how I need to lose 15-20 pounds. I could talk about how much dresses cost these days. All of that is enough to make a long post, but its all been said before. My weight and small pocketbook aside, I was stressing out. I was worrying about finding just the right dress to wear to a wedding this weekend. You see, my son is the ring-bearer in this wedding. Its a fancy wedding involving a prestigious family in our community. I was worrying about looking just right for the "country club set" with whom we would be attending the rehearsal dinner, wedding and reception. After a couple of hours of combing the stores searching for just the right dress and coming up empty handed, I had a revelation: WHO CARES WHAT THE MOTHER OF THE RING-BEARER WEARS?!

I Laughed Until I Cried!

You have to check out this post at Jennifer's blog, On Our Journey.
If you are needing a good laugh you can't miss this one!

Faith

"Faith is the refusal to panic." - David Martyn Lloyd-Jones

"Worry is an indication that we think God cannot look after us" -Oswald Chambers

"But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind." -James 1:6

You Never Know

I recently read a post on Tonja's blog (see post dated March 15th entitled "Shut Your Mouth") that struck a chord. It reminded me of an experience I had a few months ago. I had been to the Dr. and learned that I had had a miscarriage (my 2nd in 2 years). The Dr. prescribed a medication to take overnight to assist in the D& C the next day. I decided since I was already in town, I would go ahead and take care of getting it filled. I went to Sam's. The pharmacist told me that they did not have the medication. I asked if he knew which pharmacy in town might have it. He proceeded to get out the phone book and call about 5 pharmacies in town until he found one that had it. I was SO grateful for his help that day. He had NO IDEA what I had just found out, or what I was feeling, but he was kind to me and blessed me so much. What I learned was that I don't know what people around me are going through. The aggravating waitress or the not so helpful receptionist or the person sitting next to me in church might be going through something difficult that I know nothing about. So, when I am in public and get a little cranky at the cashier or the slow driver or whomever, I try to remember that this may be the day that they need extra kindness.

This Week In Pictures

Here are a few pictures I took of the kids this week. The first made me laugh! I guess my son thinks my lamp is a good substitute for a golf bag (do you see the club hanging in my lamp?).

These are of a day at the park this week. After our weekly trip to the library, another mom and I took our kiddos to the nearby park. I took my neighbor's kids too so she could prepare for her church's Wed. evening supper. Why is it that you take the kids to the park with the new, fancy equipment, and all they do is play in the sand underneath?

Here we are on a field trip! We went to a historical farmstead where we saw demonstrations of the day-to-day life of a turn of the century farm. We learned how farmers made lye soap, what they ate, how they washed wool after shearing, how they gardened, what kind of music they enjoyed, etc.

Homeschool Moms Take Note

Nan has started a new blog for homeschool moms.

The Well Drained Mind blog "is not about curriculum. It is not about "classroom management" or how to create lesson plans. It is about survival. It's about maintaining your uniqueness both as a woman and as a human being. It is a place for you to receive advice, feel supported, be reminded that you are not alone and read about how other moms in your own position are surviving and even thriving as whole people."

It looks like a great idea! Go check it out: The Well Drained Mind

Read my VisualDNA™ Get your own VisualDNA™

Dangerous Rest Area

We stopped at this rest area during our trip in Florida. I found this hilarious. It really makes you want stop here, doesn't it? A nearby sign which I failed to photograph said "dog walk this way." As if anyone would want to walk their dog in an area with poisonous snakes.

PET PEEVE!

Please let me take a moment to rant and rave. A pet peeve of mine is people who open those little, noisy, crinkly, plastic candy wrappers during a church service. I understand that they may need a cough drop or mint, but must they choose the quietest, most reverent times of the service to unwrap it? I was greatly distracted by someone this past Sunday who chose to unwrap a very loud candy wrapper DURING THE PRAYER! I thought I would scream! Not only was it a huge distraction to me, but I allowed myself to get angry and spent the whole prayer time fuming about it. You know what? If you MUST have a cough drop or piece of candy during a quiet moment in church, place it under your leg or behind your back while you unwrap it. It traps the sound between you and the chair. I've done it. It works! That way you can have your candy without disturbing the whole service.

Anyway, thanks for letting me vent. And, I'll work on not allowing myself to become distracted by little irritating things.

We've Been Traveling!

Our family has been on the road. My hubby had a conference to attend in Orlando, and the rest of us were excited to be invited along. Since our family motto is "never a dull moment," it would be impossible for us to have an uneventful drive. About 2 hours into our trip, one of our children threw up. Obviously this slowed us down as we had to change clothes, clean seats and floormats and bag up yukky, soiled clothing, teddy bear, etc. I had to covertly change my shirt on the side of the interstate since I managed to be in the way when this occurred. We made it to Orlando eventually and managed to have a great time.

The conference sessions were over by 3 pm, so we did our school work in our hotel room in the mornings, went swimming in the pool (80 degreee weather and a heated pool), even visited Wal-Mart. Then when Joel finished with his sessions, we'd visit some places together. Since our budget does not include a trip to Disney, we found other fun things to do. These are some pictures of our time in south Florida. I think my kiddos favorite place was Lego Land at Downtown Disney. The sea monster is made of legos. The store has many amazing demonstrations of all you can build with Legos including a "life size" dinosaur and a gigantic robot. They also have play tables where everyone is welcome to join in the building fun.

We also visited Universal's City Walk. This was a shopping and dining area that was an overload for the senses. There were so many people, lights, smells, etc. Look closely to see the kiddos admiring the Universal globe.

On Saturday, we broke up our drive home by stopping at Joel's parents' house for lunch. It was fun to visit with this large family. Three of Joel's sisters were there with their families in tow. Joel's granddaddy was also able to attend. My kids loved playing with their cousins so much, they did NOT want to leave. When we got in the car, my son cried and said, "I don't want to go home." Isn't he pitiful?!

The President of the United States

The President of the United States visited our little part of the South this weekend. Because our community is near the airport which he flew in and out of, we were able to watch Air Force One fly over our house. Last night at church our pastor pointed out how fun it was to wave at Air Force One and what a special thing it was for him to visit our area. We appreciate his visit and are so grateful that he came to help this area grieve the losses caused by the tornado. But as aware as we were of his visit, he didn't have a clue who we are.

However, THE King of Kings before whom all Presidents and kings will someday bow, knows me. He is not a distant dignitary who rules from afar; He knows me intimately. He knows my name. These lyrics by Paul Baloche are fitting:

I have a maker
He formed my heart
Before even time began
My life was in His hands

He knows my name
He knows my every thought
He see each tear that falls
And hears me when I call

I have a Father
He calls me His own
He'll never leave me
No matter where I go

He knows my name
( I'm so glad I can say)
He knows my every thought
He sees each tear that falls
And hears me when I call

And He knows your name
He knows your every thought
He sees all those tears that fall
And He'll hear you when you call

Birthday Wishes

Just wanted to take a moment to say Happy Birthday to a couple of friends. Shawn, pictured at top, is married to Jennifer (see Feb. 26th post). Our families have so much fun together.

Lindsay, pictured in 2nd picture on left, is a buddy of mine. We try to stay out of trouble, but it doesn't work. I could tell you some stories....pranks are our specialties.!

Anyway, I hope they both have a wonderful day! They deserve it!

Welcome Ultimate Blog Partiers!!

Welcome to this southern girl's home. The weather is sunny and warm today - in the upper 60s. Come join us as we play outside today. My kiddos have their friends over playing in the back yard. Eat a grilled cheese sandwich with us and sip sweeeet iced tea.

This blog party thing sounds like so much fun and further reason to be addicted to my computer. Not only is the blog party thing new to me, I'm a brand new blogger. I just started my blog a week ago and I've loved discovering this whole new world (not to mention another excuse to avoid mopping the floor). Thank you for inviting me to your blogs. I love hearing other peoples' stories and their perspectives on life.

I'd like to introduce myself a little.
* I am a Christian woman who is so grateful for the salvation God provided for me. He has been faithful to me, and I praise Him for that.
* I am married to a pastor and have two children. My husband is a wonderful husband and great father. I am very grateful for Him.
* I home school my children. My son is a preschooler and my daughter is in Kindergarten.
*I am a was born in the Mid-west, but love living in the deep south!
*I love to cuddle with my hubby, laugh with my children, scrapbook, read, sing, hike, shop, do crafty things, go to the beach, feel the wind before a thunderstorm, talk on the phone and now, blog!
* We spend a lot of our summer on our boat at the lake. Our favorite water activities are wakeboarding and kneeboarding.
* It would be easy to go on and on about myself, but enough is enough.

I'm glad to get to meet you and I hope you enjoy yourself in this warm part of the country.

Tornado Alley Has Moved

I thought when I moved from the part of the country known as Tornado Alley several years ago, that I would not be running for the basement any more. In fact, after experiencing my first hurricane 10 years ago, I resigned myself to the fact that hurricanes were the storm to fear now. And the way to "take cover" from those is to leave town.
Well it seems Tornado Alley has moved east. In the past 4 months, we've had to take cover twice because of tornado warnings. And as many of you heard on the national news this morning, yesterdays tornados were deadly. Warnings and sirens were the order of the day. We were glued to the tv for weather updates and then coverage of the damage. Our little town escaped damage but because of damage in other parts of the county, we were under curfew after 7 pm last night. This morning's sunshine is a welcome sight, but the clean up has just begun. Please pray for our area of the world - especially for those who grieve.
To see pictures of the tornado and the damage it left behind, click here.