Haiti mission trip and John K. Bahr!

So John and I took a mission trip to Haiti last week with a team of 10 others from our church (Crosspointe Church) in Cary, NC.

I'm still processing a lot of what I saw, smelled, and experienced but the MOST profound thing that I can say without a doubt - is that my husband, the one and only, John K. Bahr, is my hero.

We were separated much of the trip, just doing different missions, but I was able to watch him from a distance on several occasions. Every time that I watched him, without him knowing, I thanked God for his heart. My husband has a servants heart. He never once complained and he is always there for whatever the task at hand may have been.

He not only shared a room AND bathroom/shower with 9 other men, he didn't sleep well (which is nothing new), but it was also veryyyy veryyyyy hot in Haiti... I never once heard him utter a complaint.

I love his heart. I love his desire to be a better person. I love that God chose HIM for me!

Balancing act.

Over the last several weeks, our lives seem to have spiraled out of control. From John's "extended stay" at Duke, my Granny passing away, and other "stuff" that I don't feel at liberty to discuss with the WORLD via the WORLD WIDE WEB... John and I have been left feeling tired, worn out, run down, beat up, and just overall... BLAH!

Last week, I began praying about where I was with everything in my life. And God revealed things that needed to be addressed, cleaned up, worked on, and refreshed.

Balance. I needed it back in my life.

So, last week I started with getting back to a regular schedule. When I got home in the evening I worked out, I had quiet time, and I forced myself to take time to just "be"... this meant less cell phone, email, and Facebook time. I had to unplug.

Tonight, after a very busy weekend, I feel like I'm ready to try and tackle next week with the same strategies that I implemented last week.

Focus. Balance. and Quiet time.

Cheers to hopefully another successful attempt at finding it.

JB's "extended stay" at the hospital...

Who knew that a little cut from a pocket knife (4 stitches worth) would cause us to have an "extended vacation" at Duke University Hospital?

While the majority of this experience was a scary time, John and I were able to share a lot during those 4 days.  Basically, time stopped for a little while.  We were FORCED to slow down, "unplug", wait, pray, and just let the Dr's do what they do best.  

There were several funny things that happened... 

Yesterday, JB's manager and friend, Mark, came to visit him in the hospital - which was completely unexpected and appreciative.  He said:  I've got a little something for you from the office.  He reached into his pocket and pulls out a little white, plastic knife that was signed "get well"  "get better soon", etc and signed by all his work mates.  Hilarious!  I WILL be framing that and putting it up in the garage where the "incident" occurred.

Then this morning, I ran down to the cafeteria to get us both some (really baddd) coffee.  I set it up in front of him on the tray and put a straw in the cup w/ a lid and warned him that it was INDEED hot!  When i noticed that he was struggling w/ it, I bent the straw so he could reach it. I turned around and heard a horrible grunt and moan - I looked and JB had taken a sip out of the straw, but b/c it was bent it downward, the hot coffee spilled out onto his chest.  The poor man had 2 hands that weren't "available" to wipe away the hot coffee... Bottom line, he burnt his whole chest.  

I felt sooo terrible - then he looks at me with a serious look and says:  "are you TRYING to kill me? now I've got a CHEST WOUND to boot!  Guess they'll be sending me to the BURN UNIT NEXT!"  We both busted out laughing!  I mean at THAT point, you had to laugh.

I will say that now that we are finally home, showered, and happy about the promise of sleeping in our own bed - I can't help but reflect on how incredibly fragile life really is.  Sheryl Crow nails it when she sings that every day is a winding road!  

a fresh hair cut... an ode to Kim!

Tonight I got my haircut.  While that isn't exciting to anyone OTHER than myself, I am so incredibly happy about it!

I love my girl, Kim Young at Mitchells at Southpoint... Let me tell ya, she's AWESOME!  

I told her tonight that I wasn't leaving until she gave me her cellphone number -- b/c I told her that if she EVERRR leaves Mitchells and doesn't tell me about it -  I WILL kick, scream, and cry!  I even told her that I would FLY to Korea to FIND her and have her cut my hair... ;o)

People, she's THAT good and I love her.

So, tonight before I got in the bed I had to give my girl, Kim a shout out!... even though she doesn't read my blog.  I don't care. 

Basically, she made my day and I'm grateful.

 

Molly-isms...

Molly is 10... going on 38!  She is very intuitive, insightful, thoughtful, caring, and has acquired a very funny personality.  Molly is my sidekick and I just love being in her company!

Last weekend when we got the kids, I hadn't seen them since our trip to Disney World and I had really missed them.  

Molly came up to me and said, "Um, do you have something for me?"

Me:  what do you mean?  We are getting ready for dinner?  No.

Molly: You know... something for me?

Me:  Nope. (thinking to myself - JUST BECAUSE I HAVEN'T SEEN U IN A WHILE DOES NOT WARRANT A GIFT???  maybe I can make a lesson out of this...)  

Molly:  So, you mean, you don't have a gift for me... IN YOUR BELLY?

Me:  Dumbfounded?  What???? WHAAAATTTTT????  NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!

Later that weekend, we go to Barnes and Noble.  I go get coffee, John takes the kids upstairs to the kids section and when I get up there, both kids are in their dads lap (big surprise!) in an over stuffed chair.  

To no surprise of coarse, John and Mack are looking at a book about "fancy-handled-knives". Molly, on the other hand, is "hiding" the book that she has chosen.  (She's at the stage that she can (and WILL) read anything - and age "appropriate-ness" is always a factor!)

  

Me: Molly, I hope that you have chosen to read something that is age appropriate?

Molly:  ummm

Me:  Mol, really - I dont want you reading something that you know isn't appropriate!

   (me, looking at the book that she is hiding... I GASP!)

Molly;  I KNEWWW you were going to do that and I'm ONLY looking at it for the book I'm writing.

ME:  DEER IN HEADLIGHTS...

Ummm, yeah.  Its the one and only:  60,000 BABY NAMES!

Good grief... this kid is hard up for a sibling?  Someone PLEASE send my kid a baby doll!!!!

... that cries, poops, stays up ALL night, and that needs funding for a college education!

SIGHHH... welcome to my life!

What I love most about myself???

Tonite, I had a Hot Totties meeting with some of my most favorite women!

We started with an icebreaker where we threw a ball of yarn from one person to the next and we had to answer a question that our President (the one and only, rockin' SUZANNE!) came up with.

Several questions like:

• What kind of animal would you be given the choice?
• What is the best gift ever given to you?
• If you had to lose one of your senses what would it be?

My question was ....

WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT YOURSELF????

On the spot, you dont have a lot of time to think about a question of this caliber! Of coarse, I started out with, "ummm, wellllll, there are JUST. SOOOO. MANY. THINGS. ITS. REALLY. HARD. TO. CHOOSE."

I quickly came up with: My personality.

I'm really grateful that God granted me the ability to laugh... both at myself and lifes' many insane situations.

But I have to say that after thinking about the question the rest of the evening, I do, INDEED, love a lot of things about myself....

I love that:

• I can forgive myself for mistakes that I've made.
• I've worked really hard to be a successful woman.
• I've got an AMAZING network of friends... outside of where I'm from!
• I have a very happy marriage.
• I work hard to love myself - regardless of lifes UPS and DOWNS!
• at the end of the day, I know, that I know, THAT I KNOW, that God loves me right. where. I. am.!... I really love that I know that... b/c there are people that I love very deeply that still don't know that!

So for what its worth, I really DO love a lot about myself.... and honestly, not in a cocky, conceited way... but in a way that I'm really proud of... and today, on the 55th wedding anniversary of my very beloved grandparents, I'm happy to say that because of their endless love and reinforcement, I believed what they said about me... " I have a lot to be proud of."

Overwhelmed and testy!

So why is it that on a Saturday when I WANT to enjoy a day at the pool is it THE most overcast day of the year?

Tell me then, Whyyyy is it that since its an overcast day can't I sleep in past 7am?

Whyyy is it that when I get up at the crack of dawn do I feel the need to do YARD WORK?

WHYYYYY CAN'T I ENJOY A LEISURE DAY OFF PEOPLE???

WHY CAN'T I SIT STILL FOR ONEEEE MINUTE AND NOTTT FEEL THE NEED TO DO LAUNDRY, CLEAN THE HOUSE, DO YARD WORK, AND WELL... JUST EEEENNJOYYY IT????

UGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGgggggggggggggggg...

Husband on the other hand...

Slept in, read a book (yes a WHOLE book), worked out with the guys, smoked a cigar, and watched a movie.

WOMEN? Why aren't we wired to just CHILL?

... oh wait, thats right?!! B/c if WE "chill" NOTHING WILL GET DONE AROUND HERE???
GOOD GRIEF!

Feeling a bit overwhelmed and testy tonight... sorry fellas!

...ahhhhh, that's better!

Tweens 101

So lets just say, that there is a little girl who just turned 10.

And then lets say that she has had "the life talk" at school.

Just "imagine" that one day you come home from work, haven't eaten all day, and the tween starts in... You inhale a piece of leftover pizza, while irritably TRYING to listen to a tween that is in crisis about a "mishap" that occurred on the playground.

Lets say that about 20 mins later your stomach starts hurting from said inhaled pizza and tween crisis. You turn to tween holding belly and say, "um, my stomach hurts". To which the tween says, "oh, aren't we near the end of the month".

Me... "Well, technically no - its the 2nd." (completely clueless as to where this is going b/c having a tween is uncharted territory)

Tween... "Ohhhhh, well you knowwwww, crapping in your stomach and irritability towards the end of the month... Humm, don't be "offensive" (not knowing how to correctly use the word) but you MAYYYY be starting your period."

Me... collapsed on floor.

Seriously people? I'm not ready for this...

where ohhhh where is E*????

Dear Blog,

I'm saddened that I have neglected you in such a horrible manner!

The question is: Where Ohhh WHERE is E*????

Answer: Running around with her head cut off... using a chain saw to cut down trees in the front yard... walking, grooming, feeding, loving a dog... tending to much needed weeding in flower beds... tending to laundry that has taken over the universe... Children that are turning into tweens? (think about this for more than a moment... INSERT PRAYER REQUEST HERE... thank you, moving on)... wedding for youngest sister... support letters for a mission trip to Haiti... the usual - dusting, mopping, scrubbing, and other domestic bliss(!) that requires a womans touch... Sighhhh... and AGAIN, Laundry that has taken over the universe... photography shoots... photography classes... was there mention of a tween living under the same roof???... AGAIN, I say, PRAY people!...

Blah, blah, blah...That is where she has been.

If you love her, please send her a word of encouragement... or twelve! If you have your own laundry (no pun intented) list, and would like to share in her misery... open a bottle of wine and batten down the hatches! After about 1/2 a bottle the laundry and the dog all start to look the same and you remember that in the end, Love is the only thing that matters!!

Life is good, but better with WINE,
E*

Neglect during tax season...

During tax season, (can I get a shout out that another year is BEHIND us!... Woot! Woot!) there are MANY things on the home front that get what one would call "NEGLECTED"....

This is a list that I've come up with:

• Toes - no need to elaborate here, just understand - them DOGS WERE BARKIN'... LOUD!
• Laundry - we ALLL are very well aware of my "love" for laundry... well, lets just "say" that you have an "excuse" for 3 months(!) to "neglect" it??? Really people, what would YOU DO? DUhhhhhhh???? what I did.... let me put it this way, when the "last resort, ugg I HATE these" DRAWSSSS are the only "drawers" LEFT... we GOT A PROBLEM! SERIOUSSSSssss Problem!
  
• Zayleigh - she looks less like a dog and more like a veryyyyy fluffy cat - fortunately, shes getting groomed next week. However, by then she may look more like a Gremlin? I'll keep you posted?
• Kids - lets just "say" that we had the kids for about 4 days, and welllllll - something about them taking a bath???? I dont know, memory is failing me???? Ok, fine. They didn't get one? I think I have to give back my "stepmom of the year" award for that? however, i'm happy to report that they survived - but they started calling themselves "Pigpen"?
  
• Facebook - didn't remember my password? Nuff said?
• Blog... SHAME, ohhhh the SHAME!

But this is allll behind me for another 9 months!

I WILL report HaPPILY(!) that I'm doing WELL w/ getting bday cards/packages to loved ones on or BEFORE(!) their bday! (insert New Years Resolution here)...

Happy April 15th, PM~!!!
:-)

My little ole' hometown...

The time has COME to finally head back to the little ole' town that raised me.

The town with no stop lights, only one elementary school, one middle school, and one high school. The town that only had "a" grocery store until a few years ago. The town where EVERYONE knows your name, your family history, and all the "dirt" that you've ever been "accused" of... (note: 3/4 of it wasn't the actual story, of course!)

This little town has a place in my heart that no city, state, or vacation site can full!

This town is the place of my roots, my heart, my integrity, my values, my fondest memories, my family, and long time friends.

It's where my life began.

It's probably my ultimate place of "rest" and being my "true" self.

It's Home.

... ahhh, can't wait!

April 17th...

Going home to see the family, friends, and loved ones from VA...

Please send me an email to let me know if you will be available to hang out!
I'm looking forward to some serious time w/ my FRIIIANNNDS! ... AND FAAMMMM!

My littlest sister is having her bridal (!) shower that weekend.

Side note: When did my "littlest" sister stop wearing diapers?? Humm? Weird?

Can't wait to hear from you people! ...provided you are still out there given my recent blog hiatus?
(AKA - tax season, life, stepmom-ville, etc.)

Mailing a "magazine"...

Yesterday morning at the "Pack and Mail" store (on the corner near my office), the lady in line in front of me wanted to mail a "magazine"...

The guy behind the counter looked at her and said the normal "mail" schpeel: " Is there anything hazardous, fragile, liquid, yadda yadda yadda?"

The lady said, "Umm well. I'm not sure"

The guy said, "well what are you trying to mail"

Lady: "a magazine"

Guy: "What kindddd of magazine" (b/c the package was the size of an envelope and lumpy?)

Lady: "well, an empty one."

Guy: "ummm, you mean a MAGAZINE FOR A GUN?"

Lady: "yes, but I SAIDDD IT WAS EMPTY???"

Guy: "Maam by federal law we can't mail any guns or PARTS of guns for FedEx OR the USPS... I'll loose my license"

Lady: WELLLLLL I SHOULD HAVE JUST LIEDDDDDDDDDD ABOUT IT....
^&%*, $^%$^%m, @#(*& ... Expletives the wholllle way OUT the door..

The KICKER -- it was 9:10am!

What a way to start the day?....

Poor guy got cussed out doing his job and I was expecting to get shot on the way OUT the door!

A magazine? Seemed harmless enough? RIght?

Heaven, 70 degree weather, and a harpist...

While running tonight with Zayleigh, we came to the conclusion that "our" mansion in heaven will be on a beautiful beach where the breeze is always blowing and its always mid 70 to low 80 degree weather.

We took a vote - it was unanimous - God made a note in His big book.

And after some additional thought, I've decided if this guy above (from our recent Ireland trip) lives "next door", I'm ok with that. yes, he's playing a harp. yes, it is on the side of a cliff. yes, he looks like one of the guys from Phish. yes, he can be my "neighbor" in heaven - its the least I can do??


MY TO DO LIST:

Go for run... CHECK!
Tell God where I want my mansion in heaven... CHECK!
Decide about the 'neighbor' situation... CHECK!
Sleep deprivation... CHECK!

What a productive day, E*!

(patting self on back.)
:-)

Stepmom of the Year...

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Just for the record, I am officially nominating myself for Stepmom of the Year! Yes, I know its amazing I haven't been nominated before now?...

Pleaseeee hold the applause!

Tonight, (with almost 57 hours of work under my belt this week), I pulled in the driveway to a husband who was smoking a cigar on the front step (never a good sign, people - N.E.V.E.R.), a dog that is howling to be "let out", a daughter who is complaining her stomach hurts, and a son who just wanted to watch TV until his brain turned to mush.

Instead of taking offense (insert New Years Resolution here), I decided that regardless of everyone else, I had a bottle (or 2) of red wine waiting to be consumed.

I opened the door - as jovial as my tired self could muster... and made a huge scene!!! I exclaimed(!) how happy(!) I was to see each of their cute(!) (yet-- uninviting) faces and boldly exclaimed with the most cheerleader voice I could find from 1-9-9-3 -- "Lets get some dinner!!!!" (thinking to myself, "dinner, like I want to FREAKIN' make DINNER!!!?? UGG!")

I would love to report that this was the "magic trick"... instead of coarse, daughter was rolling around on the sofa in "pain" and Mack in his blurry eyed state could only find the energy to grunt. What he said or meant via the grunt didn't amount to a hill of beans to me.

Painful. Duanting. Grunt from E*.

After a quick "prayer" under my breathe, I got a few things together for dinner and before the complaining got to a level that would have forced said bottles of wine to become empty even MORE QUICKLY, the thought came to me. (I like to think of it as an epiphany)...

Here's how it went down....

Molly is flailing in her seat at the table. (SIGH)
Mack is at the island complaining that the mac and cheese is too "watery"... (SIGH!)
E* is throwing back the bottle of wine to her head like a wine-o in front of the children... (SIGH)...

KIDDINGGGGG... JUSTTT KIDDING about the wine part, however, not the kids.
I will say that I did consume a glass during the whole ordeal!

Conversation:

ME*... here's the deal, you eat all your dinner we will take a road trip tonight
Molly - What?
Mack... HUH?
Me*... Eat all your dinner, without another word of complaining, and we will take a family trip to (drum roll please) DUNKIN' DONUTS!

Without skipping a beat...

Molly... This food is great!
Mack... I LOVE MAC AND CHEESE...
E*... 2nd glass of wine!... might I say... IN PEACE!

Dunkin Donuts on a Friday night = BEST STEPMOM OF THE YEAR AWARD!
Thank you very much.
Feel free to call with questions.

Molly's at it again...

On Weds. night, the kids were over for dinner.

Molly pointed to a new picture on the fridge and said, “who’s baby is that?” I told her it was Abigail, Rhonda’s baby. “When are YOUUUUUUUUUUUUU going to have a baby?” (apparently, “beating around the bush” is no longer necessary regarding this topic?)

Me: Molly, we’ve had this discussion before.

Molly: Yes, and you always tell me that you aren’t ready.

Me: Molly, Daddy and I aren’t ready for babies. Maybe you need to have this discussion with Daddy… you always have it with me – and apparently you aren’t hearing me?

Molly: Well, YOURRRRRRRRRRRRRR the one who is going to haveeee IT, NOT HIM!

Me: Um, Molly, technically your right. But…

Molly: E! STOP! I knowwww how babies are made – Daddy does not CARRY the baby, YOU do!

Me: Dumbfounded and not wanting to head down the path that seems inevitable??... Not knowing what else to do— I shout and point to the living room: “LOOK A DEER!” And I took off for the stairs.

Until next time!

Sharing by John and Zayleigh...

When I got home tonight the following conversation occurred...

John: Molly called and she is the "Ranger of the Week" at school.
Me: Oh!
John: Apparently, she wants to "share" me again.
Me: Hummm.
John: Um, andddd... she wants to share Zayleigh too.
Me: to myself (yep, I was waiting for that!)

Over the last 3 years at school, Molly or Mack has "shared" their dad and Zayleigh.

It cracks me up b/c in years past, they have known how much Zayleigh and their dad had a love/hate relationship (mostly hate!). They knew that it was a real sacrifice for daddy to take off work and drive the dog (who is KNOWN for getting car sick) to share for an hour.

This year, I'm happy to report, is different.

Tonight John looked at Zayleigh and said in the funny voice we use to talk to her : "Thats right, Zayel, you and me got some sharin' to do!"

I realize how cheesey this sounds and my husband would cringe that I'm admitting to any of this, but I dont care. I'm so incredibly grateful that I went to Africa on soooo many levels - but I have to say that this one reason... the one about how my husband grew to "tolerate" "MY" dog is definitely up there with some of the greatest things that came from my trip - at least in terms of living under the same roof!

I'm off to get Miss Zayleigh ready for the big "show"! :-)

Daffodil Rescue...

This morning I slept in like a champion... (on clean sheets, I might add - which I get maddd bonus points for - thank you very much!)

When I woke up, I went downstairs, started up the coffee, and took Zayleigh out for the ole' morning "routine". Talk about C.O.L.D. and W.E.T... Yuck.

When I got back in the house, I looked out over the sink to the backyard and saw them...

Two little daffodils face down from the rain, in the cold, wet dirt.

With the determination of a mother chasing her child who is running towards the road, I immediately ran outside to the backyard and "rescued" them. My sweet daffodils now have a happy, dry, and cozy home in an old antique glass medicine jar near my kitchen sink.

Nothing like a little touch of spring on a cold, rainy day... ESPECIALLY after sleeping in on CLEAN sheets!

Priceless!

Laughed out loud...

In a very exhausted state, I pulled onto my street tonight.

I looked up to see this guy being pulled down the street by a white fur ball.

As I got closer, I realized it was INDEED my husband. With a HUGE cigar in his mouth!

Talk about laughing too hard.... Tonight, ladies and gentlemen, I almost wet my pants on my street watching my husband being dragged down the road by a 7lb maltese poodle...

Tonight, he REFUSED to be emasculated by the little mutt, in his mind he was "saved" by a cigar the size of a torpedo!

"Back. off. little. dog. haters.... I. HAVE. A. CIGAR. AND. I. WILL. SMOKE. IT.!!!"


I love falling in love with my husband every day!
He makes my heart sing!... and laugh.

A. LOT!

Spring brings new growth...

I'm really grateful that February is winding down. I LOVE the spring!

Something about the new life all around me - it just makes me happy. It's an annual reminder that "new life" is essential to growth. Every day brings something new which leads to growth. Whether its being a blessing to someone else or being reminded that your job is to do just that - being. present. in. your. job. It stretches us to be better at what we are becoming. What we are to be.

In everything we do, in every conversation we have - its growth.... (if you let it of coarse!)

I noticed this week that there are buds on the trees, the daffodils are blooming, and in the wee hours of the morning - the birds are chirping. This morning the sky was a bright PINK - it was the most beautiful sunrise I've seen in a while... I couldn't help but think about my grandma. She loved the spring so much.

In her memory today, I went and bought myself a bouquet of colorful flowers and have them on my desk at work.

This time of year I'm reminded of just how much I miss her. But since she's been gone, I've grown. And with every new spring and challenging conversation, situation, or story - I grow.

Because I know she would want me to embrace this growth - even when it hurts - I know she would be proud of the woman that I am becoming.

Today, I'm grateful for all the growth that she was and IS a part of in my life.

Sickness... and hand sanitizer

I read an article lately that said an Accounting firm is the 2nd most germ infested work place!... (A school/teacher was #1... which came as no real surprise.)

Today, we had several people out of the office due to illness - or with a sick kid... Fever, chills, the works. I am avoiding them and "it" (the illness) like the plague!

Being that I pretty much touch every single tax return that comes in my office and visit all of the accountants' offices - Hand sanitizer is my friend!

There was a moment today when I gave taking a "shot" of hand sanitizer a whirl... then, I quickly remembered that it wouldn't taste that great and would probably end up forcing my head in a bucket so I put the sanitizer down - and drank water instead. (patting self on back now!)

Hope your day had nothing to do with hand sanitizer - and EVERYTHING to do with Girl Scout cookies, or two, or twelve. I'm happy to report that I've only had 3 today! HA! Take THAT Little Miss Thin Mint!! IN. YOUR. FACE.!

Sunday afternoon...

After church today, I promised Mack that I would play XBox 360 with him. He's never really sure how to take it when I do finally say "YES" to his persistent requests.

However, I have to admit - quite boastfully - that this girl GOT GAME!... I really do have some serious gaming skillz! I don't play with him very often, yet some times my skillz shock him so much that he will pause the game, look over at me, and proudly exclaim: "E, THAT(!) WAS AWESOME!!!!! Can you show me how you did it?"

I'm sorry folks, but when my little man gives me "gaming props"... I can't help but smile!

And just for the record, were playing Lego Indiana Jones... WHAT? Don't hate!!!

Saturday evening with the kids...

Tonight consisted of: "tell us stories about when you were a kid"...

Molly and Mack think its hilarious to hear stories about when I was a kid, my grandmothers ways of "handling" any given situation, my cousins' digging themselves OUT of day care, and my sister learning how to "spell" her name at 3. Unfortunately for her, my stepdad "taught" her how to "spell" her "name" (which wasn't even closeee to her name) - you can ONLY imagine the "rest" of the story... I will say that because it wasn't "me" its an amusing story - I'm sure she (Michelle) would love to tell it - however, I refuse to share it with all the world without her permission! Ask her about it some time! Or better yet, just ask my stepdad - he loves to think that he actually "taught" us something!

We talked about what kinds of "punishments" we would get when we were bad. "Examples" of when we were "naughty", and of coarse, I couldn't resist sharing the story about teaching Deanna how to rollerskate by tying one of Grandma's "good" homemade pillows to her bottom.

Ahhh, those were the days! No stress, no worries, nothing to do but play and find ways to get grandma "fired up"...

What I wouldn't give today to sit on her front porch, drinking a cup of instant coffee, and talking about the "good ole' days"...

Randomness on a Saturday…

1. Anthony Bourdain’s humor is entertaining to me – if you don’t know who he is, do yourself a favor, Google him, and watch his show – you won’t be sorry – he is HA(!)larious. John and I saw him Thursday night at the DPAC (great new venue in Durham) …However, red wine in a solo cup was $6 – kinda steep, kinda like our seats? At one point, I thought we were going to end up on the roof to watch the show? …I digress?

2. I got new “heels” put on my boots on weds. And I’m very happy about it… prior to the repair, I was “SPARKFUL” - metal on concrete – hilarious and even entertaining at times, yet a fire hazard. My office mates appreciate that they can now continue working w/o the fear of me setting them and the rest of my office on fire…

3. I mean really, people – does anyone care about ANY of these musings? Does anyone even READ this crap that I call "life"?? Is ANYONE OUT THERE??? I mean, I happen to laugh at myself often - but the REALLLL question here is this: Is God laughing too??? Hummm? At times I think he is cracking himself UP by sending cute little girl scouts to EVERY STINKIN CORNER I round just to taunt me. I'm convinced that God has an "interesting" sense of humor.

4. WAIT!! Oh look!!!!!! another thin mint… Gotta run… AND CATCH IT… AND SHOVE IT IN MY MOUTH… AND FEEL MY HIPS SPREAD LIKE ONE OF THOSE “PUT-THE-FISH-IN WATER-FOR-24-HOURS-AND-WATCH-IT-GROW-INTO-SOMETHING-THAT-DOESN’T-EVEN-RESEMBLE-THE-“CUTE FISH”-YOU-STARTED-WITH”… Gross… and disturbing…

5. In all seriousness -- I’ve concluded that I need to be in the “put-the-girl-scout-cookie-DOWN-support-group”. I'm going to go look in the phonebook to see if they have any local chapters in my area... I'll have to keep you posted on my "progress" or more than likely, my "lack there of!"

The bane of my existence... PART TWO

Pantyhose… SERIOUSLYYYY??? HOW. COULD. I. FORGET. PANTYHOSE????? No offense guys, but a MAN MUST have invented this boa constrictor "fashion" statement! As IF, wearing heels all day isn’t bad enough – someone had to go and invent something EVEN more uncomfortable to go WITH the heels? Oh, and then there is the “control top” -- now those “lovelys” are just something EVERY woman looks forward to “modeling” “wearing” “squeezing into” and getting a “stomach ache” for! Two words: Muffin Top! …nuff said.

The bane of my existence…

Girl Scout Cookies… 2 boxes of thin mints down AND COUNTING! Good LORD! At this point, I feel like the Marshmellow Man in Ghostbusters! ...Or Chris Farley in Tommy Boy – “BIG GIRL BEHIND THE SMALL GREEENNNN BOOOOXX!”

Tax season hours… how do I manage to “conveniently” forget year after year just how bad these hours stink???? I’m so grateful that I love my job, otherwise, I could NEVER pull these hours. Good thing I enjoy the work and the people that I work with… Andddd I’m sure the green boxes(!) of Girl Scout cookies that I have hidden in my desk helps a “smidge”???? What?

Laundry … Is there really a need to elaborate?? I've mentioned it before, I'll mention it again... Ohhhhh how I LOATHEEEEEE laundry. Bain. Of. My. Existence.

Betcha didn't know THIS...

...That my kid went to a ROCK N’ ROLL camp a few years ago?
She was the DRUMMER….

…a Drummer with a fever of 103!

And their band name (you're going to love this!):

EMOTIONAL BAGGAGE CLAIM

And Yessss, I was THE parent, Hootin’, Hawlerin’, and Cheerin’ for

my baby girl with PINK hair…

...which may have had something to do with the

name of my kids band? Humm? theres a thought?

Oh well...
Regardless, at least she knew where I was in the crowd!

P.S. Molly had never played an instrument before

she went to this camp... when I went the concert

to see her BEHIND the drum set, I was VERYY proud!

Wheres Waldo?...

Or in this case, Mack?

One word answers...

These things always have a way of finding me??

1. Where is your cell phone? purse
2. Your significant other? Handsome
3. Your hair? FLAT!
4. Your mother? Creative
5. Your father? Missed
6. Your favorite thing? Sleep
7. Your dream last night? Weird
8. Your favorite drink? Coffee
9. Your dream/goal? Happiness
10. What room you are in? Office (for the next 10 weeks)
11. Your hobby? Photography
12. Your fear? Fire
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Beach
14. Where were you last night? Bocci’s
15. Muffins? Blueberry
16. Wish list item? Massage!!!!
17. Who do you love? Jesus!
18. Where you grew up? Mathews
19. Last thing you did? Laughed
20. What are you wearing? JEWELRY!
21. Your TV? Obnoxious
22. Your pet? Zealous
23. Friends? Loyal
24. Your life? FABULOUS!
25. Your mood? Sleepy
26. Missing someone? Always
27. Car? NEW!!
28. Something you're not wearing? Underwear... HA! Kidding... JUSTTT KIDDINGGG, people! Socks. I’m not wearing SOCKS… get over yourself! J
29. Your favorite store? Target
30. Your favorite color? Purple

Girl Scout Cookies...

One sleeve = GONE!

Taste = DELICIOUS!

Weight = DOWNWARD SPIRAL!

Yelling AT sleeve #2 with the crazy eye

=

"GET BEHIND ME SATAN!"

What? I'm just sayin'...

Mack HEARTS Batman... PART TWO

...and it makes him SMILE!

That same sweet SMILE that I love so much!

Mack HEARTS Batman...

...THIS MUCH!

My mom gave Mack these retractable Batman

wings for his birthday - the kid has been

on CLOUD NINE ever since!

... the furniture will never be the same!

Gotham City better watch out...

there's a new BatBOY in town!

Encouraging Words...

I have found comfort in these words over the past several days

and wanted to share them with you...

Always be joyful.

NEVER stop praying.

Be thankful in ALL circumstances,

for this is God's will for you who belong in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NLT

God's will for you today is to be joyful, prayerful and thankful!

Thats GOOD, people...

Thats just FLAT. OUT. GOOD. ANY. WAY. YOU. SPIN. IT!!

CPAisms... Part Two

You know you work in a CPA firm during tax season WHEN:

#1495 - Eating a sub at lunch in 15 mins seems like a “break”…

and YES, this DOES cause heartburn!

#167 - When the Mt. Dew cans have taken OVER the recycling box.

#378 - When everything(!) seems like the funniest thing

you have EVER heard...

Examples:
What time did you get here this morning:

4:15am - Hilarious!

What are you having for dinner tonight :

Whats dinner? Hilarious!

Am I going to get a refund:

PAAA leaseeee! Hilarious!

How many fingers AM I holding up:

I'm sorry, I fell asleep - what did you say?

Simplyyyyy HA!larious!

MY Valentines...

(My 7lb ball of fur!)

(My M&M's)

(My very handsome hubby!)

They each bring me joy on this Valentines Day...

and every OTHER day of the year for that matter!!!!

The window from a different perspective...

(M&M in Ireland)

We’ve always heard that the “eyes” are the window to the soul.

A few weeks ago, one of our pastors, Steve Daugherty, spoke on a series

called “I Prefer Sticks and Stones”…

The series is about how powerful our words are…

Steve mentioned that the window to the soul is actually our MOUTH!

He said, “think about it, our esophagus goes directly into the heart – our soul!”

And while I’ve heard those words once before,

I’ve thought about that a LOT this week.

Our words have the powerful ability to tear someone down or to build someone up!

On this Valentine’s Day, I hope you’ll consider the perspective

that the words of your mouth come directly from your heart.

We need to get our heart in a good place, so that the words of our mouth

are pleasant and worthy of building each other up!

CPA-isms... #243

You know you work at a CPA firm #243 -

WHEN... Someone 2 doors down shouts out with the enthusiasium of a Cheerleader…

“OHHHHHHHHHH YAYYYYY, WE GOT IT TO BALANCE!!!!!”

What? In my mind, I just visualized Spirit fingers, tax forms, and accounting tape!

I love my job!

(Yes, that DID actually JUST happen! HA!larious!)

An unexpected "melt down"...

(My all time favorite picture of Mack. He was "showing me his muscles"...

notice the jugular on the side of his neck - CRACKS. ME. UP.~)

This weekend Mack is having his birthday party with his friends from school.
Apparently, the kid is popular b/c ALL the kids he invited are coming!

… And. He. Is. Pumped.

Last night, I asked him to name off some of the kids that were coming to the party.
Fair enough, right??

Mack & Molly (at the same time) excitingly proclaimed: “GABBY!”

I looked at Mack, he had a quick, yet shy smile on his face.
I looked at Molly and her eyebrows were raised in a veryyyyy mischievious fashion?? (hummm, never good!)
I quickly looked back at Mack…

the smile had faded; a look of UTTER embarrassment had appeared…

THENNNN ~ out of NO Where lo and behold...
SCREAMING, CRYING, and RUNNING in the other direction ensued????

Me: Confused? Puzzled? Waiting for someone to help me "bridge the gap?"

Thinking to self: Can I get a little help here???? What in the CRAP just happened???

While playing the scenario back in my head,

Mack’s crazy TEMPER TANTRUM in the living room had gotten LOUDER

and at this point is COMPLETE w/ flailing arms, kicking legs, and foaming mouth???

(And lucky for us… there was “no assembly required”!!!)


…Insert: Light bulb

Ahhhhhhhhhhh, YES!!! Gabbbyyyyyyyyy! The “infamous” C.R.U.S.H!….


PEOPLE, Mack is 7 years OLD!… S.E.VVVVV.E.NNNNNN….

If he thought THAT little scenario was bad????
Oh, JUST WAITTTT until little Miss Gabby prances her pretty little self

into our house come PROM time when he’s 17!

… Insert: evil laugh --- Muuuuhaaa haaaa haaaaa!

He hasn’t even SEEEEEN embarrassment yet!!!! :-)


Reason # 2,839 to have kids:

THE OVER-REACTING “EMBARASSMENT” FACTOR!

…Priceless!

Tina + Mikey = My BFF's

Mikey (being tall - sorry I chopped off your head)

T (with a hair color that changes every time she goes to the salon)

Jaden (standing), Devin (hiding), and Kamryn (being a princess)

When I was in college, I did an internship in the Athletic Department at Christopher Newport University in VA. Even though I was “supposed” to be trained by “someone else” – Tina took me under her wing. When I first met her, I remember specifically thinking to myself “this girl KNOWS her STUFF!” And after many years of knowing her in her career field, SHE DOES!

Homegirl is very knowledgable about sport specific training, physical therapy methods, and keeping a sports team physically, emotionally, and mentally in the best shape possible! Not only that, she’s a H.A.R.D. worker! She’ll put most people to shame b/c she’s a work horse that doesn’t “cut corners” just because no ones “watching”… And because of her work ethic and integrity T is now the Fitness Director at an indoor sports complex in Williamsburg, VA.

During my intership, I ended up falling in love with T! She too(!) loved to dance, her smile was ALWAYS present (even on a bad day), her cup was ALWAYS overflowingly FULL, and her advice was ALWAYS well thought out, ALWAYS from the best perspective possible, and ALWAYS truthful…

…Even when you DIDN’T wantttttt to hear it!!

While I’ve always admired her career “skillz”, they AIN’T got NOTHIN’

on her heart regarding her family and friends!!

Yes, she has a good career.

Yes, she has been successful.

But in a moments notice, if she had to – she would lay it ALL down for her hubby, Mikey, 2 sweet boys, Jaden and Devin and one precious little girl, Kamryn.

Tina and I prayed for what seemed like an eternity(!) for her to get pregnant with Jaden… and then Devin!

…Kam on the other hand!!!

Ohhhh, She’s a wholeeeee DIFFERENT story! Much like the BIG surprise she was coming into this world so quickly(!) on the heels of her brother, Devin - I have a feeling that life with that little princess is going to be FULLLLL. OF. SURPRISES.!!! :-)

Mom’s around the world look to people like Tina and wonder: “How in the WORLD does she do it working full time with 3 kids?” “How in the world does she keep it all together?” “How does she look SO STINKIN’ CALMMMM?”

And really the only thing I can come up with is this: She has a God given gift!

She’s even keeled by nature (even though she doesn’t think so), she’s incredibly generous and thoughtful (which only brings blessings back to her and her family), and she has an INCREDIBLE husband who helps her to raise their kids WELL!

Mikey (of whom I am the ONLYYY person who is “allowed” to call him that :-) ) is one of my favorite people! He’s the big ~6’4” teddy bear in my life that isn’t afraid to call just to say that he loves me. He’s called and talked to me about things that have been hard for him, yet did it out of love anyway. He loves his kids and his wife so much that it’s a blessing to watch. And he’s the one who got my little sister, Lisa, front row seats to see Toby Keith on her 21st birthday…

Friends, it doesn’t GET much better than Mickey and T!

I get to call them my best friends – and I don’t “deserve” the honor - b/c they are SUCH good people…. But God picked them out for me – so they’re basically stuck!!

T ~
Thanks for always sticking by me. The moment when you literally pulled the car to the side of the road - forcing me to “hear” you… it changed my life. That sweet baby boy, Jaden… he changed my life too. That man you call “husband” has helped make my life richer. Without you, my life would be different – and I’m so blessed that God put me in that Training Room at CNU “under your wing”…

Mikey... “my” Mikey ~

Thank you for being the big brother that I’ve needed all these years. Thanks for stepping up to the plate, being obedient and being the man God has called you to be – you have no idea the prayers that have been answered regarding your role as a husband and father. Not to mention the beauty it is to observe it from afar! Ohhh, and thanks for approving of my husband! You’ll neverrrr know how much my “decision” weighed upon your “approval”!

I love you both SOOOOO much!
Xoxoox,
“Your” E*

Seems like yesterday...

When I met this little guy for the first time he wasn't even 3 yet!

Today, we are celebrating his 7th birthday!

Words can't describe the sense of purpose that he and his big sister have brought to my life!

Happy, HAPPY birthday, sweet boy!

I love you soooo much!

Accountability and Michelle…

( E*, Uncle Ronnie, and Michelle)

We need people in our lives that will be honest with us & give us the “truth” in love.
Someone who has nothing to lose when the "truth" is spoken!

My sister, Michelle has become one of those people in my life. While we haven’t always been close (which was mostly my fault), I’d say that over the past 2 years we have both grown a great deal. She has gone through several experiences that have molded her into an incredible woman.

Given our “life story” and as the oldest sibling, I’ve always found it very hard to be Michelle’s “sister”. I’ve always been more authoritative, maternal, and “careful” around her.

I’ll never forget the time that she begged me to “just be her SISTER” and not her “MOM” – I was 24, she was 20. Honestly, if she had picked up a 2x4 and smacked me square in the nose I wouldn’t have been more shocked. I’d never thought of my relationship w/ her to be “motherly” instead, in my mind, I was very “SISTERLY” – so “sisterly” in fact, I prided myself on how G.O.O.D. A “SISTER” I WASSSS!

Her words have rung loudly in my head more than I care to admit. Yet, mostly what I remember the most, were the warm tears streaming down my face. Its like she called me out – she had nothing to lose - rather, on the contrary – she had MORE to GAIN by telling me the truth. After she said those words, I felt released from the maternal role, but at the same time, I was scared b/c that meant that my “purpose” had drastically changed regarding our relationship.

Lately, she and I had a heart to heart - that on a deep level we both REALLY needed. After talking to her for hours, I remember hanging up the phone and realizing that our relationship had just changed forever.

Redefining my relationship with Michelle has been VERY hard for me. I’ve been so torn with trying to be something different to and FOR her after 20+ years of being “motherly” that I’ve wrestled with my new “ROLE”… and mostly, b/c I’ve gone from “protecting” and “helping” to TRYING to be a “Cool”, “put together”, and “a good example”…
basically – ALL the things I’m NOT!

I. People, I’m not cool – I’m a dork. I’m VERY dorky to be exact! I do cheers from circa 1-9-9-3 in my kitchen if someone says the word “Aggressive” (BE. AGGRESSIVE, BE. aggressive, B.E. A.gg.R.E.ss. I. V. E.) – see?, I love the circus and I blog about it – news flash: I’m 30!, I giggle at the kids’ potty jokes – and I often times ask them to reapeat them!, my closet is organized by COLOR!... Seriously, the list is endless. I’m a dork – just trust me.

II. “PUT TOGETHER” – PAAAA. LEEEASE!!!!!!!!!! I may “seem” put together – but that’s only because I rolled down ALL the windows in the car, visualized myself as Tom Cruz and SANG “Free Fallin” VERY loudly in my car before pulling up to the door of some really “important” meeting where I’m supposed to “look” PUT TOGETHER! -- 10 minutes prior to this endeavor I was standing in front of my color coordinated closet crying b/c I didn’t have “ANYTHINGGGG to WEARRRRRR”… “Put together” I am NOT!.

III. “A good example” – Now, I do(!) want to be a good example... But I need to be honest here – there are “moments” when I lose it (see the paragraph about being “put together”) and on occasion, have been known to have road rage “episodes”, I’ve said a “few” unpleasant things “under my breathe”, and I’ve “shared” something about someone that I didn’t know to be “the TRUTH” (they call it “GOSSIP” in some towns?)…
Friends, This category is a SERIOUS work in progress for me!

Bascially, I’ve TRIED to be less than human when it comes to who I want my sister to
“THINK I AM” instead of “WHO I ACTUALLY AM!”

A month ago, I called my sister when I was broken, real,
and in need of someone to speak the “TRUTH” in LOVE!….

And you know what??… she answered the call!
She told me some things about myself that I reallyyyy needed to hear….
She. had. nothing. to. lose.!

And for that – I’m really grateful!

I LOVE YOU SHELL!


Who in your life holds you accountable to a lifestyle of integrity?
Truthfulness? And making the BEST choices?

Warmer days in a land far away...

When I think about how warm its been -

I'm reminded of the time I SAT on the equator!

...with my Friends: Rach and Mote!

The GREATEST show on EARTH...

FACT: I am guilty of making my husband take me to the circus once WITHOUT the children… and he “happily” obliged - (however, there was a rolling of the eyes!)

Wholeheartedly, I WILL admit it: I HEART the CIRCUS!

Fortunately, the circus comes to town around the first weekend or so of February every year! And GUESS who has a birthday around SAID 1st weekend of February?... Nope, its not me!

However, one little guy named Mack DOES!!!

Lucky for our family, my Mother-In-Law, Joanne, ALSO enjoys the circus (YET, another reason to LOVE the woman!!). Last year she treated the whole family to the circus for Mack’s birthday! And guess who is coming to town and taking us again today????? Yep, my very generous M-I-L, JOANNE – affectionately known as “Granny” by M&M... and at times have also been known to call her "JoJo Circus"! -- (which I think is hilarious!)

Now, let me clarify, I’m NOT(!) a fan of clowns – (Stephen King’s “It” did me in on those "happy" characters long ago!). But what I DO love about the circus is the talent and athleticism of the acrobats, the awesome animals (back off PETA!), the joy on the childrens’ faces, and ULTIMATELY, the $25 cotton candy and the $30 snowcones!! (Generally, we have to get one of each and share b/c they are so(!) stinkin' expensive!)

FACT: John and I had cotton candy AND snow cones at our wedding reception!! (guess who insisted on that little "bonus" treat?? ... I'll give you some time to think about it!)

I’m so glad that Mack has a bday JUST in the 'NICK OF TIME' for the ole’ CIRCUS! But let me just say that even if his bday wasn't around this time of year and I had to go all by myself, I would!! (without giving it even a second thought!)

FACT: I’m just a big kid stuck in an adult persons body!

Fo’ real people… I can’t tell you how excited I am about heading to the circus this afternoon for the Lions, and tigers, and Bears ...and did I mention COTTON CANDY AND SNOWCONES???

OH MY! :-)

HAPPY BDAY TO PAMMMMM....

(E*, Mote, Pam walkin' hand in hand on Kenyan soil!)

Today is my friend, Pam’s birthday!

I met Pam when she came to work at our church about a year ago. I can’t remember the date that I officially “met” her because I feel like I’ve always known her! We hit it off immediately – we’ve gone for walks, had coffee together, “interviewed” for church “broadcasts” (ha ha), played board games, laughed out loud about really dumb things (one of our favorite past times!), and spent time in Africa together!

Pam lived in Arusha, Tanzania for 2 years and had a few rather “radical” experiences there that forever changed her life. Because of those experiences, our church has an even more rock solid staff because she is on board!! She’s well traveled. She's fluent in Swahili. She's not a stranger of adversity, and yet(!), is a bold lover of Jesus…. She’s awesome! And when I get to spend time w/ my “Pam-a-lot” it makes me happy!

What I really like about our freindship is that even though we’ve only known each other for a relatively short time – I know that she will be honest with me. I’ve given her the authority to speak “truthfully” to me about decisions (good and bad) that I make – I love talking to her. There have been times when she’s spoken to me about something and I just “got it” – and I know that God has placed her in my life to make me a better person.


PAM,

you came into my life just in the “nick of time”…

I’m forever grateful that I know you and get to call you "friend"!

On this day of your birth, I hope you are still in your “jams”, eating a gluten free rice cake, slurpin’ on some coffee, and reading a book that you want to pass on to yours truly!

Love you, girl!
Xoxoxo,
E*

John's LOVE for Zayleigh...

Back in Sept/Oct when I went on my mission trip to Africa, John took care of Zayleigh.

Now because Zayleigh wasn't "necessarily" his favorite "fixture" in our home at the time, I was a little worried about leaving her with him for 14 days.

Friends, John has a 3rd degree black belt in Kenpo karate. He has had big dogs his whole life. For my husband to take care of this 7 lb - loud mouthed - barely potty trained - ball of fur was his ULITMATE gift of love to me!

This weekend I heard a funny story about Zayleigh when she was in her "daddy's" care.

Apparently, John was walking Zayleigh after work one day (still in a suit and tie) when this man with a HUGE dog comes running towards them. Of coarse, Zayleigh (in all of her gusto) starts barking like the bulldog she thinks she is - MUCH to John's dismay!

Subconsciously, John had already jumped into a bush and was trying to "pretend" this whole scenario wasn't happening!

Feeling the pressure of trying to get Zayleigh to shut up and realizing how ridiculous he must have looked fighting with this "7 lb BARKING FUR BALL"

my husband reacted like an individual with touretts syndrome...

He turned towards the runner and BLURTED OUT with the same gusto as the 7lb barking fur

THIS BOLD PROCLAIMATION:

"THIS IS MY WIFES DOG!!!!"

The guy just gave him a weird look and kept running.

That's right people, that's myyyyyy DAWWWWGGGG!

Zayleigh, YES!?! But I'm talkin' about John!

He is myyyyy Dawwwgggg!

:-)

Boundaries 101...

My husband told me something several years ago that I have

replayed over and over again in my mind.
He said: Healthy people establish and maintain boundaries in ALL relationships!

The older I get, the more I want to be known as a healthy, stable person. And the more I live and love on others, the more I agree with my husbands statement.

In order for me to be a healthy, stable person, I need to have healthy relationships with the people in my life.

Recently, I established some very structured and well defined boundaries with a person in my life that (at times) has caused me and my marriage pain and heartache. Unfortunately, I’ve found that when this one “unhealthy” relationship isn’t going particularly “well”, it causes my relationships with others (at times) to be less than “healthy” too!

I have prayed, I have fasted, and I have prayed some more about this – but after constantly feeling run over, taken advantage of, and often times just flat out angry, I feel like the time has come to set firm boundaries in place.

Last night in my quiet time, I prayed about how those boundaries were established and about the maintenance of those boundaries going forward. During my time with the Lord, I was reminded of my role as the wife and mother of my household.

God led me to Proverbs 31 – Verses 26-27:

“She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.”

The more I meditated over these verses, the more I felt like God was releasing me from maintaining this particular relationship without boundaries. Given the nature of this “unhealthy” relationship, I have often times lost sight of God’s call on my life as the wife and mother of my home.

The Word says that MY(!) JOB is to speak wisdom with faithful instructions on my tongue (not rude or ugly things about others) AND that I need to be using MY(!) energies to watch over the affairs of MY(!) household - NOT(!) sitting idly worrying about a relationship with someone that isn’t set up to be “healthy” anyway??? (Regretfully, I have done this for wayyyyyy too many hours, months, and years to count!)

For the sake of me and my household, boundaries are a NECESSITY(!) in order to be the healthy and stable woman that ultimately God has Willed for my life!

Honestly, I should have set up these boundaries long ago – my feelings of heartache, bitterness, and feeling defeated shouldn’t have gotten to the levels that they did. But today, I’m HAPPY(!) because I feel like I finally did the right thing! And in my heart, its better late than never because I’m ready to continue my journey in striving for the Proverbs 31 wife and mother!

Two of my New Years resolutions were to “recognize my patterns” and to “choose not to take things personally”. I believe that by establishing these boundaries I’m well on my way to fulfilling these goals!

SOoOoOoO:
Yay GOD! Yay ME! Yay for BOUNDARIES! Yay for HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS!!
And ultimately, YAAAYYYY for the wisdom of my rockin’ (and very handsome) HUSBAND!!!!!!

ANNNNDDDD on a very, "side" note: I’m having a fabulous hair day!

:-) Ohhhh Lucky me!

Mote --- TAKE TWO

And in the event you would like to see the kind of humor that I referred to in my previous post regarding my beloved "Mote"...

please see:

EXHIBIT A: http://www.blogger.com/www.theknot.com/ourwedding/AmandaMote&BrianSchambs

The girl is HA!Larious...

Love. lurve. LAAAAVVVVEEEEE HER!

Photography on the side – TAKE ONE!

I did my first “official” photo shoot in January with one of my very dear friends…

AMANDA (who I very affectionately will ALWAYS call “Mote”), went to Africa with me in September, has been in Hot Totties for years, goes to my church, is so hilarious that my cheeks always hurt when in her company, and is a country girl thru and thru – bottomline, I love her! Like, literally, A.D.O.R.E. her zany approach to life!

She’s Fun. Outgoing. Thoughtful. And… GETTING MARRIED on June 13th!

The day after she got engaged, Mote called to share the wonderful news. While on the phone, I asked her if I could take some “engagement like” photos of them to help me learn more about my “style” and “quickness” in utilizing the gazillion(!) functions on my camera. She was quite enthusiastic about my request and couldn’t wait to get it on the books (which, came as a complete shock!).

After one failed attempt due to bad weather, we set out on a Sunday in 30 degree weather to capture the love of Amanda and Brian.

After one fun, yet, very C.O.L.D. afternoon – ONE thing that I know for SURE regarding my “style” and camera “quickness”:

I certainly begin the adventure of "photography on the side", with the BEST COUPLE EVER!!! Capturing their “love in a lens” was INCREDIBLY humbling to me!

Brian and Mote… I can’t thank you enough for sharing that afternoon with me! You set my heart on fire EVEN MORE(!) regarding my desire for photography (which I didn’t even know was possible!!). You helped push me out of my comfort zone and try out this idea of “photography on the side”! I had SUCH a wonderful time…

One thing is for certain: I believe in your love!

Can’t wait for the wedding! Xoxoxo, E*

Late evenings and then EARLY mornings...

Are NOT good for me!

Last night we had our life group over to watch the Super Bowl. We had an ABSOLUTE blast… not only did the women hang out in the kitchen w/ the food (which is my kind of party ANYWAY!…) but we LAUGHED the majority of the night! It was fabulous…

What WASN’T fabulous was the stinkin’ alarm clock going off at 4:30am reminding me that my butt had to be at work at 5:30 this morning!

Because I was busy being a social lite last night, this day is “somewhat” dragging into oblivion!
But on the bright side there is only 73 days to go until I get a full week off…
AND get to go to my baby sister, Lisa’s bridal shower in VA!…

73 days… AND COUNTING!

Molly’s on the wagon AGAIN…

This weekend the following conversation occurred between Molly and I... But before I go into any great detail -- Please note that the majority of my "NOTABLE" conversations with the children occur AFTER John leaves the room for some strange reason??...

You can probably guess what happens next...

EXIT JOHN STAGE LEFT...
ENTER MOLLY STAGE RIGHT...

Molly: When you have a baby, I’m kicking Mack out of our room and I’m going to share my room with the baby.

E: (hands in soapy dish water) Mol, what are you talking about? There IS NO baby, thus, there will be no kicking Mack out of his room?

Molly: (hands on hips) Eeeeeeeeeeeeee, you saidddddddddddddddd when you were 30 you would have a baby~~~!!!!!!!!!!

E: Molly! That ISN'T what I said. I told you that when I was INNN my 30’s Daddy and I would maybe TALK ABOUT IT!

Molly: (hands in smart aleck questioning position) WELL. WHAT. ARE. YOU. WAITIN’. FOR???… GET. TO. TALKIN’. You aren’t gettin’ any YOUNGER!!

E: Deer In HEADLIGHTS… (wondering if this is what an out of body experience is really like and thinking to self - Hello??? Is this conversation really happening??? Did my 9 YEAR OLD just SAY THAT I'm NOT GETTING ANY YOUNGERRRRRRRR???? This is yet anotherrrr situation of "new territory in parenting" - HOW THE HECK DO I HANDLE THIS ONE????)

And with that final thought, I look at her with the love of ANYYYY aging mother of wisdom and say, "Molly, why don't you go and talk to your FATHER about this! I'm sure he'll be able to talk about it with you!!" Hee hee... HA HA HAAAAAA!!!!


What happened to the days when people didn’t discuss MY UTERUS???
Lately I feel like thats all anyone wants to talk about?
I'm catchin' it from all sides -- even from. my 9. Year. Old. KID.!!!!!!!!!

Good. Grief. People.
Can SOMEONE PLEASEEEEEEEEEEEEE send this kid a baby doll??!!!

The Greatest Commandment...

I’ve been reminded A LOT lately that the greatest commandment is to LOVE OTHERS!
From the scriptures that I’ve been reading in my quiet times to the sermon that our rockin’ pastor, Jonathan Bow, preached on Sunday – this life is all about loving others! Friends, that’s the GREATEST commandment of ALL!

It's so easy to love people we like… the people that we “choose” to have in our lives: friends, family and coworkers! But man, ohhhh man, is it hard some times to love (BIBLICALLY LOVE!) the “unlovelys”…

Lately, God has steadily reminded me that loving others regardless of “like” or “dislike” is imparative to staying in His will for my life.

On my drive to work every day I’ve been asking God that I’ll be a blessing to someone - even in just a small way. Some times I know when I’ve been a blessing and other times I don’t – but I've been praying about it intentionally b/c I want to be in the Will of God – every day! And being in His will brings peace and this PEACE gig is realllllly nice! I’m hopeful that I’ll stay in this place of PEACE for a longggg time – but this requires action on my part!!

Being a blessing is a choice and it doesn’t take something BIG to be considered a “blessing”! It takes answering the phone with a smile, it means saying Thank you, leaving a bigger tip (even if the service wasn’t that great!), sending a note to a grandparent that you haven’t talked to in a while (thats my Poppa Stanley above - he will be 87 in April!), or just “pre-setting the coffee pot” for the husband that usually does it for you!! Being a blessing even means going the extra few steps and putting the shopping cart IN the designated “RETURN SHOPPING CART HERE” station! Notes of encouragement, an unsolicited hug, complimenting a stranger, or simply bringing your neighbors trash can up from the street… Each are considered a blessing…

I’m learning that when we are a blessing to others – we are showing the world that there is something different about us. Christian friends, we aren’t of this world. We are strangers in this foreign land – we are only here, on Earth, for a brief moment! By being a blessing we are showing others that Greater is He that is IN me, than he that is in this world!

I challenge you to start asking God to show you how you too can be a blessing to someone – everyday!! And get creative – do something that will really bless the socks off of someone!

It’s easy, rewarding, and makes God smile!

Recent favorites...

These are a few of my most recent “favorite” things…

• When the laundry basket is COMPLETELY empty!
• My Ann Taylor Loft slippers – I HAVE to have them on when I’m inside my house.
• A handwritten, snail mailed, unexpected note of encouragement from a friend
• My electric blanket – my grandmother used to make me take it off of my bed during the summer, as an adult its ALWAYS on my bed!!
• Snuggling with sweet Zayleigh in the weeeee hours of the morning
• My rainbow striped knee socks
• When JB sets up the coffee pot the night before!
• Fat free French vanilla creamer for said "pre-set up" coffee...
• Being creative with photography
• Laughing so hard that you can’t hear it – you just shake!
• The heater under my desk at work!

Fasting … Daniel Style!

I don’t regularly talk about fasting with the people in my life. I think I don’t talk about it b/c many people see it as “foreign” and “out dated” which means I then have to "convince" someone of the benefits.

I haven’t even talked about fasting much with my own husband, but he knows that there are days when I don’t “join him for dinner” – which he usually just rolls with anyway! I’ve been fasting off and on since I was 21 years old (which, by the way, wasn’t yesterday!).

When I returned from Africa in October, I came back with more questions than answers – which, at times, has been very frustrating. During my quiet times with Him, I felt called to do a longer fast than “normal”. In the past, I have done all kinds of fasts – one day, 2 – 3 days, 7 days, no food, only liquids, only eating at dinner time, etc. Basically, God has impressed upon my heart what kind of fast I am to do…

After MUCH prayer and an exceptional amount of reading, I began a Daniel fast on January 1, 2009. Let me say that when I woke up on January 1st to the smell of coffee brewing downstairs - courtesy of my husband, I tried to talk myself into the fact that maybe, JUSSTTTT maybe, I’d misinterpreted God’s call over the past SEVERAL Months!… Maybe he only meant 1 or 2 days – NOT 21! No. Such. Luck.!

For the 1st 3 days of my fast, I only drank water – no food. Let me tell you that on Day 2, I thought that my head was going to explode! I have NEVER and I mean, N.E.V.E.R. had a headache like I did on Jan. 2nd, 2009! For the next 17 days, I ate only fruits and veggies and drank LOTS o’ water. On day 21, I again, didn’t eat – only had water to end my experience.

During a fast, you are basically sacrificing the “pleasantries” of life to be in constant communion with God – and rarely do you talk about it with others while its going on. This fast was probably one of the hardest things I’ve ever done regarding my faith walk…

The only reason I’m sharing this is because several amazing things happened to me during that time….

First, John and I had a lot of conversation around fasting. And actually on Jan 2nd (the day of the worst headache known to man) John joined me in fasting for 7 days! I can’t tell you what that has done for our marriage and our faith!! I'm so proud that he felt led to do a fast WITH me! I've said it before and I'll say it again - JB is one of the BEST decisions I've ever made in my life!

Secondly, my heart was really hard and ugly regarding certain situations and persons in my life. Without going into great detail, my heart has changed -- Freedom and Peace have prevailed!!! Trust me people, that is something that ONLY GOD can get credit for~!!!! My heart was like a stone statue that had been spray painted w/ graffiti – and not the cool, artsy graffiti either – it was U.G.L.Y. You. Aint. Got. No. Alibi. UGLYYYYY GRAFFITI!

And Thirdly, I’ve had a bum knee for about 10 months. Been to several Dr’s, taken more anti-inflammatories than I care to admit, and just flat out stopped exercising b/c it hurt so badly (and that’s saying something considering my degree is in Fitness and Exercise Science)! On Day 3 and 4 of my fast, I began to pray for healing. My knee has hurt to the TOUCH for several months but on day 5 there was absolutely NO pain. None! Today, on Jan. 27th, I have absolutely nooooo pain in my knee. I am healed!

I’m trusting God for big things this year… and by giving Him our first days of 2009, I know that He is going to honor us!

Don’t keep God in a little box friends! He’s soooo much bigger than you can EVEN imagine!
What big things are you asking God for this year???