Sunrise

You Are Sunrise

You enjoy living a slow, fulfilling life. You enjoy living every moment, no matter how ordinary. You are a person of reflection and meditation. You start and end every day by looking inward. Caring and giving, you enjoy making people happy. You're often cooking for friends or buying them gifts. All in all, you know how to love life for what it is - not for how it should be.

What Time Of Day Are You?

I'd say this is pretty accurate.

Look Out, Mom!

Caleb's mission, "Operation Un-Decorate The Tree," is in full force. I'm sure he'll have a grand ole time at Grandma's working on his mission! He is especially interested in the balls, since that is his current favorite word. :-)

 

To Do List...

Thanksgiving was wonderful! We drove the 2 1/2 hours back from my parent's house last night, and here is a list of things I have to do in the next two days:

1. pack for tropical vacation :-)
2. get Caleb's things ready to stay with my parents for a week
3. somehow convince myself to leave Caleb in the capable hands of my parents
4. go to the bank to make deposit
5. while I'm there, remember to have a form notarized
6. pick up some last minute vacation things at the store
7. make dinner tonight for a couple who had a baby last week
8. psyche myself up for being without Caleb for one week (how will I manage?)
9. straighten the house so it's clean when I come home from vacation
10. get dog food
11. take the car seat out of the car; give to parents
12. get stroller out of the car; give to parents
13. make detailed lists for mom (because she didn't raise two daughters, you know!)
14. hug and kiss Caleb every single second to make up for the time I'll be away
15. enjoy some much-needed alone time with hubby

And, I just want to say how thankful I am to have a friend who wears the same size clothes that I do and has let me borrow practically her whole summer wardrobe for our vacation. Her clothes are much cuter than mine and fit much better than mine. What a blessing!

Another blessing...due to hubby's trips to Singapore last year, he accumulated enough frequent flyer miles to fly us to our tropical destination for FREE. It doesn't get much better than that!

Hopefully I'll have a tan, less stress in my muscles, and a few books read by the time I return.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Many, O LORD my God,
are the wonders you have done.
The things you planned for us
no one can recount to you;
were I to speak and tell of them,
they would be too many to declare.
~Psalm 40:5

Counting our blessings...

Happy Thanksgiving!

See you on the 27th after I've decorated for Christmas! :-)

Better

Thanks, everyone, for your prayers that I feel better. I took NyQuil last night...which I haven't done in about 2 years since I was either pregnant or nursing...and I slept great! I am still stuffy this morning, but am feeling much better than yesterday (read: I've made it off the couch). My ribs and abdominal muscles are quite sore from all the sneezing and coughing, but maybe it's a good workout for me, right? :-)

Caleb and I are meeting Justin in a couple of hours because today is his company Thanksgiving family lunch. They actually provide a wonderful bbq lunch for all the employees and their families, complete with pecan pie. How great is that?

Tomorrow we're off to spend Thanksgiving with my side of the family. I can't wait to see all my cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandmas. My Nana is making dumplings. *sigh* I can taste them already.

I'm making two pumpkin pies...my very favorite!

Sick

I'm sick today. Yuck. I have sneezed about 200 times, and, no, I'm not exaggerating. I've been through a box of Kleenex, half a roll of toilet paper, and then some. I would make a doctor's appointment, but the thought of dragging Caleb to the doctor's office with me to wait for what I know will be at least an hour in the waiting room appeals to no part of me.

I'm trying my best to sit lay on the couch and watch The Sound of Music and drink hot beverages, but, alas, there is no rest for the mommy. I remember when I was childless and working outside the home, I would stay home from work when I was sick and rest.

Now, if the dog would stay out of Caleb's room while I'm trying to get him to rest, we'd all be much happier.

Happy Birthday, Justin!

Update: The video should load now. I put a link instead.
Update #2: I made the video public, so you ALL should be able to view it now. Can you tell I'm not very techno-savvy?

My husband, Justin, turns 30 today. I am constantly amazed at how God has blessed me through this man.

Justin, I have learned more about Christ's love through the way you love me. I know you would do anything for me or Caleb, even if it meant giving up everything. Your constant sacrifice inspires me. Thank you for loving us so fully; today I honor you.

"And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God." ~Philippians 1:9-11

A look at the last 30 years.



Pssst...GiBee is celebrating a birthday, too. Happy Birthday, GiBee! You are such an encouragement to me. Head on over and wish GiBee a Happy Birthday, too!

I'm a Winner

Look what just appeared in my inbox:

We happily announce to you the draw of the British
Lottery International programs held on the 18th of
october 2006 in London. Your e-mail address attached
to ticket number: 564 75600545-188 with serial number
5388/02 drew the lucky numbers: 31-6-26-13-35-7,which
subsequently won you the lottery in the 2nd category.
You have therefore been approved to claim a total
sum of US$2,500,000.00 (Two million, five hundred thousand,
United States Dollars) in cash credited to file
RPC/9080118308/04 made available from a total cash prize
of US $125 Million dollars, shared amongst the first Fifty
(50) lucky winners in this category.

You are to provide the claims agent with the under listed

information as soon as possible:

1.FULL NAMES:..............................
2.DATE OF BIRTH:...........................
3.SEX:.....................................
4.CONTACT ADDRESS:.........................
5.COUNTRY:.................................
6.TELEPHONE NUMBER:........................
7.OCCUPATION:..............................
8.BATCH NUMBER:...........................
9.AMOUNT WON:.............................

To avoid unnecessary delays and complications, quote your
reference/batch numbers in any correspondences with us or
our designated agent. Congratulations once more.

Looks like all I have to do is give them all my personal information and I'll be on my way to $2.5million. Yippeee!

Oh, except I never entered the British lottery. Too bad.

One Thousand Gifts, Part 4

101. getting to be an aunt soon
102. watching hubby with his brothers
103. flowers
104. green vines
105. fountains
106. cobblestone paths
107. photos of Caleb's first year, taken by his Uncle Josh
108. incredible worship music
109. powerful prayer times
110. knowing God is listening to my prayers
111. believing that He cares enough to take part in my life
112. waiting on the LORD and being strengthened in the process
113. Scripture memory
114. sound Bible teaching
115. His faithfulness to me
116. morning quiet times--refreshing my heart, soul, and mind
117. extended family
118. an email from my great aunt
119. Daily Light devotional
120. Scripture that leaps off the page and into my heart
121. a challenge from Beth Moore to let God revolutionize my prayer life
122. the privilege of praying for my husband
123. knowing my husband prays for me
124. praying with my husband
125. saying prayers with Caleb before bed
126. "I love you, Lord" -- mine and Caleb's special song
127. holidays spent with family

Part One
Part Two
Part Three

Are You Serious?

I went to Barnes and Noble yesterday to buy a guidebook for an upcoming trip. Barnes and Noble is right next door to Best Buy, where lots of people were camping out in tents. I'm not up on the latest electronics/movies/games being released, so I called hubby to ask why in the world people would be camping outside of Best Buy.

Playstation 3.

It cost $600.

Seriously???

I told Caleb, not that he can understand me, that his mommy will not camp outside of Best Buy for 3 days to buy him anything that cost $600. Now, if he has 600 extra dollars just taking up space when he's older, by all means, I'll get out the tent and he can camp all he wants.

Am I the only one who doesn't get it?

(And does anyone else remember when people used to rent VCRs?)

One Thousand Gifts, Part 3

still counting...

61. videos that teach babies sign language
62. Bible study
63. watching my child with other children
64. seeing Caleb so proud of himself
65. baby clothes, so soft and small
66. baby blankets
67. in-laws
68. blogs
69. blog friends
70. meeting them in real life
71. praying with hubby
72. sleeping children
73. the ability to comfort
74. wisdom from Him
75. learning from another generation
76. leaves turning, signaling the season's change
77. neighbors
78. church family
79. spiritual growth
80. challenges
81. beautiful flowers
82. full moons
83. being able to see stars in the sky
84. the Postal service, mailing cards and packages to loved ones
85. long phone conversations with her
86. people who "get real" with me
87. foreign missionaries
88. Thai food
89. paper
90. beautiful, colored pens
91. pencils
92. markers
93. cookie dough
94. contentment
95. wall color
96. a husband who indulges my love of wall color
97. Caleb laying his head on my shoulder when he's sleepy
98. how excited Caleb gets when I go to his room after naptime
99. Caleb pointing and saying, "Dis?"
100. mountains.

Part One
Part Two
Part Four

Happy Birthday, Lisa!

Today is my best friend's birthday! She is approximately two weeks older than me. That means she'll turn 30 before I will, she'll turn 40 before I will, she'll turn...well, you get the picture! :-)

She and her husband, Dave, moved to Alaska back in February of this year, and it gets a little lonely when you don't have family that's even within driving distance!

So, won't you hop on over to Living Forgiven...In Alaska and wish Lisa a "Happy Birthday?" (She and Dave just celebrated their one year anniversary, too, on November 12!)

Happy Birthday, Lisa! You have sharperned me so much since our friendship began 6 years ago. We've been through a lot together, and I am so grateful that God brought you into my life. (Maybe He'll see fit to bring us a little closer in geography one day!)

May this year be the best one yet! I love you!!

Menu Plan Monday

Our menu this week:

Monday: Spaghetti
Tuesday: Beef Stew--crockpot
Wednesday: Oven Fried Chicken
Thursday: Taco Soup
Friday: Sweet & Sour Chicken

One Thousand Gifts, Part 2

continuing my list of 1000 gifts God has given me...

31. good doctors
32. fall colors
33. re-connecting with old friends
34. a home-cooked meal
35. changing seasons
36. sweet tea
37. His Word
38. changes in me
39. a husband who selflessly provides for our family
40. photographs to hold memories
41. good books
42. time to read
43. baby monitors
44. handmade baby blankets
45. gifted, crafty friends
46. prayer warriors
47. mentors
48. pacifiers
49. dogs
50. a reliable vehicle
51. soft, green grass
52. tall shade trees
53. trustworthy neighbors
54. blue jeans
55. cotton t-shirts
56. pajama pants
57. evening with hubby
58. clean sheets
59. soft, clean towels
60. seeing Caleb sign
to be continued...

Part One
Part Three
Part Four
See other lists and share yours here.

Pics of The Boy

My brother-in-law, the photographer, was here this weekend to take pictures of Caleb for his one-year portraits. Here are a couple that I love:



I love how he is basking in the sun in this bottom picture, like God is saying something to him.

I posted a few more pictures on Caleb's blog (I LOVE the one of him cracking up!), but I'm saving my absolute favorites until later (you know, Christmas cards and all).

He's growing up so fast! 

One Thousand Gifts

At Ann's prompting, I've started a list of One Thousand Gifts I already have. One Thousand Gifts that God has granted to me. Ann has encouraged us to look for things we might overlook and realize the blessings we've been given each and every day from the Father.

Here's a snippet of my list so far...

1. God's grace
2. Loving parents
3. A godly husband
4. A roof over my head
5. Wet kisses from one sweet little boy
6. Warm blankets
7. Cool breezes
8. Friends
9. Someone to share my struggles with
10. My sister
11. quilts made by my great grandmother
12. prayer
13. technology to communicate with loved ones who live far away
14. the smile of a child
15. hot apple cider
16. old hymns
17. experiences in other countries
18. comfort food
19. fond memories of grandparents who've passed
20. laughing until my sides hurt
21. Caleb "rocking" himself to sleep
22. baby talk
23. Caleb running to see me
24. sunrises
25. sunsets
26. new starts
27. the sound of the ocean
28. freshly vacuumed carpet
29. Caleb's "tired" laugh
30. playing peek-a-boo...
To be continued...

Won't you start a list, too, and share it with us?

Homecoming Celebration

In September, my friend Erin and her husband, Jeff, traveled to Vietnam and brought home their precious daughter, Selah. Selah joined her two brothers, Sam and Silas, to make one happy family! We wanted so much to bless them as they add another member to their family, but they have been so blessed already that they don't need anything to help care for her. God is good!

It was suggested that we focus on blessing the orphanage in Ninh Thuan that took such great care of Selah, so that is what we want to do. We're having an online shower! All of the monetary donations will go directly toward purchasing playground equipment for the children at the Ninh Thuan orphanage.

If you are interested, please help us bless the children at the orphanage and honor Selah and her family.

Please spread the word about the shower. It's a great way to get children involved in helping other children who are less fortunate.

Come join the celebration and learn more about Selah's story.

Scattered

Apparently it's a post-fest for me today! Really I'm just trying to get everything out before tomorrow when I'm taking a blog fast. Our Ladies Retreat is this weekend and I'm feeling very scattered with just returning from out of town, having a sick child, not feeling well myself, and having a house that's pretty out of order! I need some time to get some things back into order, including (and especially) my quiet time.

So, I'll be on a blog fast until Monday. Until then, head on over to JettyBetty's and read her great post about surrender. I'll be thinking and praying about that in the next few days.

We Wanna Meet, Part 2 w/ PICS

So, when we last left the We Wanna Meet recap, I was a freak. :-) (And, as an aside, after reading several people's posts about this weekend, I realized how much we notice in other people the things we are insecure about in ourselves. I do not have perfect hair, no matter what Holymama says! But I sure noticed how skinny Lauren was because that's what I'm insecure about. And how cute Shannon's glasses were because I don't like mine. And how funny so many of them are because that's not usually my gift. Hmmm. I could go on, but what you really want to know is what we did on Saturday, so here you go.)

Saturday morning we slept in. Ha.Ha.Ha. Caleb was with me, remember? Shannon and Chili slept until 10:45 because their kids were at home! Caleb was up most of the night coughing or crying or just being awake. So, even though we got out of bed at 8:45, but we didn't sleep in, TRUST ME.

After listening at the doors of my fellow hotel sleepers and deciding no one else was awake (wait, I AM a freak!), we headed to McDonalds for breakfast. I would find out later that I should have knocked on the door and asked Faith if she wanted anything because, apparently, she gets upset if someone goes without her and doesn't let her know. :-) Next time, Faith, I'll get you whatever you want!


Shannon and me

We headed to the Ft. Worth Botanic Garden for lunch where Shannon dared Lauren to "steal" a piece of wedding cake from the reception in the next room. You've heard this story, right? Lauren got chewed out by the mother of the bride. I think the lady's exact words were, "HOW RUDE!!!!!" And Shannon was just worried Lauren would put the cake in the jacket she'd borrowed from her. You're one brave lady, Lauren! Those Texas mothers of the bride can be quite fiesty...I should have warned you.


Shalee waiting for our food!

After Shannon and GiBee went to ask the waitress to cancel our dessert order because we'd been at the restaurant for TWO HOURS already (which didn't go over well, by the way), Shannon told me it was my turn to offend someone. :-)


GiBee and Faith

After lunch, Faith, Lauren and Chloe, GiBee and Hunter, Sandy, and I headed to The Stockyards. This out-of-state crowd wanted a "real" Texas experience. Well, I think they got it. Little did we know there would be a real live cowboy extravaganza going on. We even got to talk to a REAL life cowboy in person. He graciously offered to take our group photo without our even having to ask. What a gentleman! He works a cattle ranch not too far from where I live and has an original belt buckle from the Houston Live Stock Show and Rodeo the first year it was in the Astrodome. He was very proud to show it to us. Lauren asked if she could have it for a souvenir, but he wasn't that gracious. Good try, though, Lauren.




We made it to The Stockyards just in time to see the longhorns be led down the street. It was pretty neat, even though there were only about 7 of them and they looked like they were being led to their death (not because they were malnourished or anything, they just walked that slow).


the old, sad longhorns

After the "running of the bulls," we went in search of some silver jewelry. I snapped this cute photo of Faith in what else but a pink cowgirl hat! Isn't she adorable? I told her she looks much younger in person. Really. I don't have a picture of Chloe's teal cowgirl hat, but trust me, she was super cute!



While in The Stockyards, we saw some women dressed like old timey "women of the night." Not sure what their purpose was, but everyone sure liked taking pictures of them. Lauren said she was going to photoshop our faces in to that picture, so if that starts floating around Blogland, don't believe it for a second. Because unlike Shalee, Shannon, and Chili, we DID NOT dress up in "formal" attire during our afternoon out. Promise.


GiBee's Hunter and my Caleb


Caleb trying to share his pacifier with Hunter

We headed back to the hotel to freshen up and change before heading to Antique Mommy's for a taco dinner. It was wonderful! We got to meet Sarah (In the Midst of It), Rachel Anne (Home Sanctuary), Katherine (Raising Five), and Megan (Life in a Nutshell). It was a joy to sit around and chat with these ladies. I wish we'd have had more time together!

Sunday morning hubby, Caleb, and I checked out of the hotel at 7:45am to go to church with JettyBetty and her sweet husband. It was my first time meeting her, and I was so excited. She is as sweet and genuine in person as she is on her blog. We ate brunch at Crackel Barrel and Caleb was extremely tired and fussy by the time our food came. JB's sweet PH (Perma Honee as she calls him) finished his meal first and walked around the gift shop with Caleb for the rest of the meal so we could chat. What a blessing that was to us! Thanks, JettyBetty and PH for such a lovely time!


me, Caleb, and JettyBetty

Well, that just about wraps up We Wanna Meet. It was a blast! I wish I could have had one-on-one time with every single lady. I do much better one-on-one than in big groups, but it was a blessing to me just to get to meet these sweet ladies in person.

Advent

Lindsey at Enjoy the Journey has started a new blog, Advent for Evangelicals.

We have been talking about Advent in our house, and I would like to implement some of the ideas I've seen in blogdom while celebrating the Christmas season. Advent is not something we celebrated growing up, but I think it is important to teach Caleb that Santa Claus and presents are not what it's all about. I loved what GiBee said here about their plans to celebrate the Christmas season.

Lindsey is working hard to put Christ back in Christmas, so head on over and check out what she's saying.

Product Review--Cascade 2-in-1 Action Pacs

Updated: Here's a link to a coupon for $1.50 off Cascade 2in1 Action Pacs. Enjoy!

I know everyone and their dog has reviewed this product, but they sent me a sample, so I must oblige!

I saw GiBee review these little packets of dishwashing detergent, and after I left a comment about wanting to try them myself, they sent me a FULL pack! I was really excited to get the trial started because we recently bought a new dishwasher when our other one started leaking and I have been having problems getting my dishes clean (spots).

The Cascade 2-in-1 action pacs really are great. They get stuck-on food off without having to prerinse. The only problem I had was when I left too much food on trying to really test them out, little particles were left in my glasses on the top rack. I think that might be more the fault of my dishwasher because nothing besides the glasses had a speck on it (seeing that I'm the ONLY person who reviewed them and had this problem!). Hubby always prerinses (and remember, he does the dishes most of the time) out of habit, but it's really not necessary.

I'm usually super cheap on dishwashing soap, but these little action pacs are doing a much better job! So, run out and buy some for yourself; they're worth the price.

I tried relentlessly to post a picture, but, once again, Blogger is giving me fits. You know what they look like, right? If not, go here.