tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12070305287560868832024-03-12T22:35:47.910-05:00house to homethis will be the story of the transformation of our home and our livesnikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14471226249166442578noreply@blogger.comBlogger80125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1207030528756086883.post-8314228197014055582014-08-30T20:59:00.001-05:002014-08-31T21:54:48.312-05:00Girls get-away for #13When our girls were little, I heard about another mom who would take their girls away overnight for their13th birthday. I knew I wanted to do that, too. Jay gets to take them somewhere fun for #16 (he and Katie went to New Orleans for hers). <div><br></div><div>So, this was it. The weekend I got to take Mary Margaret overnight for her 13th. We went to Bentonville, Arkansas. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEPLHdd64KXuG-m3iYWaCB8l_OwEm3HpxgpWOwJaVGuBK4vTcGXRc_TWIJuzIgqdda3LfoOsPCfAGMOdIZHS9rFbcEiysBpBpUuri3HE-zy1iABbvqhUoPLFN5lIMDbkSVZmzbceXPCpsX/s640/blogger-image--1809278108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEPLHdd64KXuG-m3iYWaCB8l_OwEm3HpxgpWOwJaVGuBK4vTcGXRc_TWIJuzIgqdda3LfoOsPCfAGMOdIZHS9rFbcEiysBpBpUuri3HE-zy1iABbvqhUoPLFN5lIMDbkSVZmzbceXPCpsX/s640/blogger-image--1809278108.jpg"></a></div>Fantastic lunch at The Crumpet. The orange rolls were delicious. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXGOzajUY1zU9HB5a1__nyaWUgCqgr9pzqJGl5mRvbjvEXyJaFDEsR3x-Pvx1Y7YT4MXLYIQScvtt3Q8X6gEqxqFTNtVk9dvLWa4h_-fkY8AJD27WqA38vKowlt_WIqSVhMG8-nU5xE2Yp/s640/blogger-image--969474914.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXGOzajUY1zU9HB5a1__nyaWUgCqgr9pzqJGl5mRvbjvEXyJaFDEsR3x-Pvx1Y7YT4MXLYIQScvtt3Q8X6gEqxqFTNtVk9dvLWa4h_-fkY8AJD27WqA38vKowlt_WIqSVhMG8-nU5xE2Yp/s640/blogger-image--969474914.jpg"></a></div>Drop in art was fun at Crystal Bridges Museum. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0kOxpbzOMgECrIZS4UbxuctR3qxNOyGOA7hkjWZM3uKhJ_ieZX_by_POI1LjyMRpP4WPDMYp_U9XZXRneEfOWZLIJhi_6iaj6bHbTyQ0w5_3rEJJJeiqSVQAYGxgr1FNdQpX4u-oa0Ilc/s640/blogger-image-1924170123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0kOxpbzOMgECrIZS4UbxuctR3qxNOyGOA7hkjWZM3uKhJ_ieZX_by_POI1LjyMRpP4WPDMYp_U9XZXRneEfOWZLIJhi_6iaj6bHbTyQ0w5_3rEJJJeiqSVQAYGxgr1FNdQpX4u-oa0Ilc/s640/blogger-image-1924170123.jpg"></a></div>We couldn't resist the selfie in front of one of our favorite words. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhrkA14dXoVxz1FZR6XrHHR-VJcUWTIrWlfjCYepj3B7vR84n86U-M6eOXVtl9hj4UBQ3SsJW0SOTE1Y1dg-LyNo0zPCE_7iJPslPtbwMM5zjLOOuS6NBqyM3r3cWi9HPGfE1rCyKdivGF/s640/blogger-image-90035637.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhrkA14dXoVxz1FZR6XrHHR-VJcUWTIrWlfjCYepj3B7vR84n86U-M6eOXVtl9hj4UBQ3SsJW0SOTE1Y1dg-LyNo0zPCE_7iJPslPtbwMM5zjLOOuS6NBqyM3r3cWi9HPGfE1rCyKdivGF/s640/blogger-image-90035637.jpg"></a></div>We saw deer, up close and undisturbed. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpKx0Se_4qoeXT6LttG6SUFulOYJOWa-qvuhJM5hCffomElglScSHzxJrIA9QHr25oOjl8oh0lakuLAXDWI_jLPin29zzQdmZJncnIXqm4iXBPu9YEip_a9vbBaMsFpheP41HCal4gcJZV/s640/blogger-image--376386887.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpKx0Se_4qoeXT6LttG6SUFulOYJOWa-qvuhJM5hCffomElglScSHzxJrIA9QHr25oOjl8oh0lakuLAXDWI_jLPin29zzQdmZJncnIXqm4iXBPu9YEip_a9vbBaMsFpheP41HCal4gcJZV/s640/blogger-image--376386887.jpg"></a></div>We even caught a glimpse of Spidey and his co-hort. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNMpdaLrUPEYeOnuqoZeaLjTadHTbIquckZNWY3ZEwKEIV-pqZBtVs1LVROsUgrct_fonDIgJ6lY2616IZvWBo9AKfuPlyMDDS9RLjyHu7JCzSjWFrHZJh6xzh8Wzok6scFMOZs6FYXmDL/s640/blogger-image-2063046650.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNMpdaLrUPEYeOnuqoZeaLjTadHTbIquckZNWY3ZEwKEIV-pqZBtVs1LVROsUgrct_fonDIgJ6lY2616IZvWBo9AKfuPlyMDDS9RLjyHu7JCzSjWFrHZJh6xzh8Wzok6scFMOZs6FYXmDL/s640/blogger-image-2063046650.jpg"></a></div>We had a blast! Good fun, nice hotel, lots of bargains and great conversation. I love being this girl's mom. </div>nikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14471226249166442578noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1207030528756086883.post-57547914046401541442014-06-13T12:16:00.001-05:002014-06-15T14:10:37.993-05:00I'm too young<div><br></div>I'm too young to have been married twenty years. And if you are my FB friend, you've seen the pictures this week from our wedding twenty years ago. This is my last mention of it, really it is. But I believe this is worth celebrating! <div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxTtL0xGhvsP3Tf2WyKRmlpCaPzoxWkhCotI8KgCfoHgjHWVJcG9uB_qSrFnnpoXwAZaTiXmJ6qBU81dLhdOkJQyOmjqVpXR2m26u1i_4clOC7Fs7wMUXnJdwp4OkM5ngTsilwnDH7x5P7/s640/blogger-image-504917323.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxTtL0xGhvsP3Tf2WyKRmlpCaPzoxWkhCotI8KgCfoHgjHWVJcG9uB_qSrFnnpoXwAZaTiXmJ6qBU81dLhdOkJQyOmjqVpXR2m26u1i_4clOC7Fs7wMUXnJdwp4OkM5ngTsilwnDH7x5P7/s640/blogger-image-504917323.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>I rarely blog or post on FB about my relationship with Jay. There's the occasional mention here or there but I don't too often. For a few reasons, but the main one is that I know that everyone's husband is not like mine. I don't want to be perceived as bragging about him. </div><div><br></div><div>We had guests, another couple, in our home after we had been married just a few months. After supper, the guys left. The other wife asked me how Jay treated me when no one else was there. Not sure of exactly what she was asking, I replied that it was the same as when anyone else was there. She was amazed that he refilled my tea, cleared my place, and spoke kindly to me. She said those specific things to me. She noticed that he did those things and thought it was because he had an audience. I wish I could describe the look on her face when I insisted that's how he is all the time. Disbelief. She just shook her head, said, "You have no idea how good you've got it." and was very quiet the rest of the evening. A few years later, they divorced. She had lived with verbal and emotional abuse for years. </div><div><br></div><div>Jay is an amazing man. He consistently puts my needs and my wants before his own. He serves me daily. He does not complain about what I do or about what I don't do. He does the dishes. He irons better than I do. He is patient with me. From day one in our relationship, he has said that he knows there is a part of me that can only be filled by time with friends. He has always encouraged me to take time for myself, spend time with friends, or Mom and Kelli, and he sees that I come home a better mom and wife. My spirit is refreshed. (this was a much bigger deal when Katie and Mary Margaret were little. It's much easier to do this now.) </div><div>He dances with me in the kitchen. </div><div>Side note - here's the playlist Mary Margaret put together for our anniversary date this week. It was a hoot! He had moved the rug, table and chairs out of the kitchen so we had a great dance floor. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvRO3B-XbD2mA_Pr8a7hMwVXizKOOhPPY4WCsKIj4IoBG_dw6EwtJKhtIqFfhOMU8hlVmfmMaJmuK9XLdEp4uBWFU0m-OMIJxpCu1C-9l36BgwRUGF9gCm7if5wvtESedGWkPgydSODKGL/s640/blogger-image--1465917964.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvRO3B-XbD2mA_Pr8a7hMwVXizKOOhPPY4WCsKIj4IoBG_dw6EwtJKhtIqFfhOMU8hlVmfmMaJmuK9XLdEp4uBWFU0m-OMIJxpCu1C-9l36BgwRUGF9gCm7if5wvtESedGWkPgydSODKGL/s640/blogger-image--1465917964.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>He has asked the question, "Do you want me to listen or do you want me to fix it?"</div><div>He has shown me grace. Like the time I backed into the garage door. Or when I bounced the check the first time he registered to take the CPA exam (he's been balancing our checkbook ever since!). The list goes on and on. He has freely extended forgiveness to me. He has been patient with me when I've struggled with depression and anxiety. He has taken care of me when I've been sick - menengitis, food poisoning and recovering from surgery. He has taught me that the gift we give when we accept others as they are, rather than trying to make them what we think they need to be, is priceless.</div><div>He apologizes when he messes up. He says, "I was wrong."</div><div>He has <i>never</i> raised his voice at me. And he <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">insists that Katie and Mary Margaret treat me with respect. </span></div><div>He makes me laugh. A lot. A whole lot. </div><div>Is he perfect? No. But he is perfect for me. </div><div>When I was pregnant with Katie, I bought a children's book. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK_J73R0YcnPz_t2smzshsZkzSKfo1KdNRFkN6M9_iyeZ-l6epM5_Yjr3XaMbxwygEvDWD_yawmdzw-dUl9yuWdm0PertB2V3RDLHFVbFJ45zXqCjLHXSbw7M6EtFKbBTtB1U793m-6iNQ/s640/blogger-image--1636075570.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK_J73R0YcnPz_t2smzshsZkzSKfo1KdNRFkN6M9_iyeZ-l6epM5_Yjr3XaMbxwygEvDWD_yawmdzw-dUl9yuWdm0PertB2V3RDLHFVbFJ45zXqCjLHXSbw7M6EtFKbBTtB1U793m-6iNQ/s640/blogger-image--1636075570.jpg"></a>He would lay beside Katie on the floor (when she was a few months old) and read this book to her. "My dad is as strong as a gorilla! My dad can sing like a rock star! My dad is awesome!" </div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">For Father's Day this year, Katie and Mary Margaret wrote their own version of the book. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG6NGJfDT49l1SHGaG-Czs2_PCwRdLPJQJb1URAdnwbbLOd59UPavr3lEcLUiCAPFDd5BuykkDiuybFL_rtlyNjCF4v7CS7X9e4PiiLEyl-uy45B_DLLo3f0hOEEaeuAeTScGyhKcQdd8t/s640/blogger-image-1316366737.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG6NGJfDT49l1SHGaG-Czs2_PCwRdLPJQJb1URAdnwbbLOd59UPavr3lEcLUiCAPFDd5BuykkDiuybFL_rtlyNjCF4v7CS7X9e4PiiLEyl-uy45B_DLLo3f0hOEEaeuAeTScGyhKcQdd8t/s640/blogger-image-1316366737.jpg"></a>They filled it with photographs of them with their dad. This page made me smile. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcP1IP0nuE8VBTuBJJKJYlfWWoA4BMDx8uHiaJ4QRpAa1OA7U-Q44JKCV1mmqfDMuPWt7di7GR2KwteYUtkn9Xq5HDE91jMXUKKS0BXBpmu_C46EvxflEbf-gscogyBGRhndGheYg-Kpp5/s640/blogger-image-1364723820.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcP1IP0nuE8VBTuBJJKJYlfWWoA4BMDx8uHiaJ4QRpAa1OA7U-Q44JKCV1mmqfDMuPWt7di7GR2KwteYUtkn9Xq5HDE91jMXUKKS0BXBpmu_C46EvxflEbf-gscogyBGRhndGheYg-Kpp5/s640/blogger-image-1364723820.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And this one made me laugh. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGJ8PfTqb2e241-Wh35sgPfmbfRCK59suS4ctXkkcdQR1YFfYWQp1GIgNizhfqXGsh_4dz2_CbmyRJ72S0tcpDAcfMEbyi2fJ94RmoawiLml3t675auFG80unyMjItUcQ6Ut-8VvoY9yIH/s640/blogger-image--1829508819.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGJ8PfTqb2e241-Wh35sgPfmbfRCK59suS4ctXkkcdQR1YFfYWQp1GIgNizhfqXGsh_4dz2_CbmyRJ72S0tcpDAcfMEbyi2fJ94RmoawiLml3t675auFG80unyMjItUcQ6Ut-8VvoY9yIH/s640/blogger-image--1829508819.jpg"></a></div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">And this one took my breath away. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3MaK8SRD2iymFgjUf8RcgB5zhAO22b5OrfmxI-ZCYSi4h9Vmq59P-3z0ggjI1lXHSZMhaKtXlJtapfJFJ8_cpKFJzB8p0Pz1jTx1a0Kk9mcwIEJsCw-6Nf0PJ9o11cYaSA_OvC1h2UQYj/s640/blogger-image-1731398287.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3MaK8SRD2iymFgjUf8RcgB5zhAO22b5OrfmxI-ZCYSi4h9Vmq59P-3z0ggjI1lXHSZMhaKtXlJtapfJFJ8_cpKFJzB8p0Pz1jTx1a0Kk9mcwIEJsCw-6Nf0PJ9o11cYaSA_OvC1h2UQYj/s640/blogger-image-1731398287.jpg"></a></div></div></div></div>nikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14471226249166442578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1207030528756086883.post-15308135892254928202014-05-31T17:37:00.003-05:002014-06-22T23:25:32.155-05:00Book club, June 22, chapters 13-16<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz2OwmbKa1PlyjByD28mRS16Zfhny5h4sq2ebJbKExZBnXijPli2OnsJHXvgaHNpm36Qvroy7PxlIGYVityg302Ylfc0Ftga-m_xl6drZDyl6KXitM5arGW3UfAVhO8sV47j2pdJbmaQ-Z/s640/blogger-image-479186387.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz2OwmbKa1PlyjByD28mRS16Zfhny5h4sq2ebJbKExZBnXijPli2OnsJHXvgaHNpm36Qvroy7PxlIGYVityg302Ylfc0Ftga-m_xl6drZDyl6KXitM5arGW3UfAVhO8sV47j2pdJbmaQ-Z/s640/blogger-image-479186387.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I hope you are enjoying reading along with me. Feel free to post your answers in the comments. </div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><i><br></i></div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><i>10. Has God ever called you to take a step of faith with your finances or career? What was it? How did you handle it? Did you see him provide in ways you couldn’t have imagined? </i>The biggest step of faith in this area was when we made the move to Missouri in 2003. Jay had worked so hard and had bought into the partnership of the CPA firm where he was working. This represented financial security for the coming years. To take a significant pay cut and go to work for the Missouri Baptist Convention as controller -- well, some thought we had lost our minds. But when you clearly know God is leading, you just do it. God did bless and provide, over and over, financially and also through our friends, who became like family. </div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><i>11. What was the worst home improvement challenge you’ve ever taken on? Was it worth it in the long run? </i>Oh, boy, well, after gutting one house and nearly gutting another, I can't even narrow it down to one project. Absolutely worth the wait every single time. Here is one of my favorites (before and after) from our house on Brookside Blvd. in Jefferson City. </div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmUQSVhNtrsZs2xRgjsaLOCUOLswJlRnqqR1IgW48zdn-AAtw1diy8JOc9Uzbh-AE-wk4YCdzYA3-cgCuRfaYn1X7PUxQTx29d4B3LAauu1vtt7EfpGQZXfcxey-LdKXgooKZg7FpWQoZT/s640/blogger-image-254876529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmUQSVhNtrsZs2xRgjsaLOCUOLswJlRnqqR1IgW48zdn-AAtw1diy8JOc9Uzbh-AE-wk4YCdzYA3-cgCuRfaYn1X7PUxQTx29d4B3LAauu1vtt7EfpGQZXfcxey-LdKXgooKZg7FpWQoZT/s640/blogger-image-254876529.jpg"></a></div><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>12. Do you agree that it’s sometimes our job to be our spouse’s cheerleader? When was a time that you encouraged your husband or helped them through something they were going through?</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Yes. I believe that I am Jay's biggest cheerleader. Our pre-marital counselor told me that if Jay has had the absolute worst day, and the world has beat him up all day long, if he knows he has a safe place (me) to come home to, he can find the strength he needs to go back out and do it all over again tomorrow. The most recent time I've been this for Jay was when we moved to Springfield. A new job is a daunting task. It was of utmost importance for him to know I'm behind him and beside him 100%. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I will say that he is the same for me. When I'm fearful about trying something new or something I think I'm not good at, he says, in his quiet but sure manner, "Niki. You've got this!" </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div>nikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14471226249166442578noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1207030528756086883.post-16895365673157977642014-05-31T17:37:00.001-05:002014-06-15T07:09:51.532-05:00Book club, June 15, chapters 9-12<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC0eZIxsMDq-WWtSRTxw4dp3vAsSmV8fcP9uQFo80qz5S5avROOiMNExWlpBilDGYLBF5nHSa29s3egb15kinxOjrQ3zbdrHlxESbImcqeaksajLT66znW7FZM4cnNcKgpAcKmZP8NQjSi/s640/blogger-image--2063666108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC0eZIxsMDq-WWtSRTxw4dp3vAsSmV8fcP9uQFo80qz5S5avROOiMNExWlpBilDGYLBF5nHSa29s3egb15kinxOjrQ3zbdrHlxESbImcqeaksajLT66znW7FZM4cnNcKgpAcKmZP8NQjSi/s640/blogger-image--2063666108.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Several people have asked me questions about this book. If you are reading along, I hope you will take a few minutes and answer the questions. Thanks! </div><div><br></div><div>I love the story in chapter 9 about P's response to Melanie's belly button surgery. And the acupuncture. "Oh, hindsight. You are funny."</div><div><br></div><div>Her chapter titles crack me up. "That Time I Almost Went on Judge Judy."</div><div><br></div><div>The hardest I laughed in the whole book was in chapter 12 when P did the reading at their friends' wedding. Great point to the story though - I am my husband's cheerleader. </div><div><br></div><div><i>1. Do you remember things you found out about your spouse after you got married that you didn’t necessarily know beforehand? </i>I remember realizing that we had both participated in things before marriage, simply because it was a way to spend time together. Ex. I don't play tennis. But I would go just to be with Jay. It certainly didn't take him long to figure that one out. He would go shopping with me. That is really not one of his favorite things to do. He also balances the checkbook to the penny. My thought at that time was, "I'm sure they know what they're doing over at the bank. Why should I waste my time opening those envelopes they send me?"</div><div><i>2. What was the first fight of your newlywed days? </i>I'm pretty sure it was when we got a letter in the mail saying that the check mailed in to pay for jay's CPA exam had bounced. And yes, I was in charge of the finances at that time. Guess what? He started taking care of them right then and has been doing it ever since. It works well for both of us that way! </div><div><i>3. In Chapter 7, Melanie discusses finances. Do you have a budget you stick to every month? </i>Yes, we do. We have used the envelope system for cash for 12+ years. It works well for us. Each year we look at our budget and adjust according to things we know are ahead of us that year. I'm thankful for a husband who believes in saving and is disciplined in that. </div>nikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14471226249166442578noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1207030528756086883.post-36749036352230313452014-05-31T17:16:00.001-05:002014-06-07T21:08:09.862-05:00Book club, June 8, chapters 5-8<div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I've had several people mention this book to me in the last week. If you are reading along with us, please post your answers to the questions. It's so interesting to read each other's answers. </span></div><div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Favorite parts from chapters 5-8.</span></div><div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">I love the reference to Shipley's donuts in chapter 5. The taste of my childhood. My older brother took me to school in 6th & 7th grades - Tommy is 7 years older than I am, and would drop me off on his way to class at LSUA. Anyway, every once in awhile he would swing by Shipley's and get us donuts on the way. As a 12 year old, being driven to school by my older brother, who </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">drove a royal blue beetle bug AND </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">blared Huey Lewis and the News and the Dazz Band from the stereo AND throw in Shipley's --- could it get much better? I certainly didn't think so at the time. </span></div><div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Moving on...</span></div><div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">"Then there's old love. Old love is the comfortable shoe of relationships. You know each other. Each of you as a little more worn and not as pretty and new as used to be." Isn't that the truth?</span></div><div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">The Possums. Enough said. </span></div><div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Chapter 7 "We Make Dave Ramsey Sad." I laughed out loud when I read this chapter title. </span></div><div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">I loved reading about when Melanie decided to paint the back house. "'You still have a lot of work to do!' Thanks for pointing out the obvious. You must be related to my husband. Have a nice day.'</span></div><div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">"In a lot of ways home improvement is like marriage. It's not glamorous. It can take a lot of hard work and effort. Their days it feels like it might be easier to burn the whole thing to the ground and start all over again. Then you remember how much you love the house or your husband and you recommit yourself to what it takes to see the whole thing through.... You have the satisfaction of knowing you've made something beautiful."</span></div><div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;"><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">1. Have you ever made a list of qualities you want in your future spouse? What things did you include that ended up not being as important as you originally thought? </i><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I did make a list of qualities I hoped for in a future spouse. I was hoping for a man who was taller than me, weighed more than I did, was a people person and a great listener, </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">had a great sense of humor and loved Jesus more than he loved me. Girls, I got </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">everything on my list. And so much more. </span></div><div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;"><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">2. What are some things in your life that you feel like you’re waiting on right now? Do you agree that we’re all waiting on something, no matter where we are in life? </i><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">When I first read this, I thought, "I am not waiting on anything right now." And then I noticed a topic they keeps coming back to my mind - where will Katie go to college? Nearby? Far away? And even though it's not waiting on specifically something for me, it will be a significant change in my life. And after just being away from her for nearly two weeks, I confess, I am not looking forward to it. And yes, I agree, that we are all waiting on something, regardless of the phase of life. </span></div><div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;"><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">3. In Chapter 4, Melanie mentions a list of celebrities she’d be friends with if they ever met. Do you have a list? </i><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I think I could be friends with Elizabeth Hasselback, Patricia Heaton, Julia Stiles, Jennifer Garner and Nate Berkus. </span></div><div><b><br></b></div>nikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14471226249166442578noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1207030528756086883.post-47978927604305926492014-05-24T11:32:00.001-05:002014-05-31T22:11:58.928-05:00Book club June 1, chapters 1-4<p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_qdPyocHy-LWQuo5MTWm0YoYEUhNFsnEvTEJfHsV_J1LsdaAUKO37oeeC6iBumGueFCSxY9vGAY2DJrdGNUa1rgH3Vh8fxwziGdU2SKJD4NfBO1nCODou1Ioi4lAhDDPwYZlrG75O6NoU/s640/blogger-image--1749600874.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_qdPyocHy-LWQuo5MTWm0YoYEUhNFsnEvTEJfHsV_J1LsdaAUKO37oeeC6iBumGueFCSxY9vGAY2DJrdGNUa1rgH3Vh8fxwziGdU2SKJD4NfBO1nCODou1Ioi4lAhDDPwYZlrG75O6NoU/s640/blogger-image--1749600874.jpg"></a></div>Ok, friends, here we go!<p></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Disclaimer - I'm not exactly sure what I'm doing here, but I think it will be fun and interesting, so here goes. </span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> I'm going to mention my favorite parts of the first four chapters and then post suggested questions from Melanie. </span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Page 6, (referring to the registration process when you pick out all the things you think you need before you get married) "...you're selecting things for the life you think you are going to live, when in reality there is no way to know what life will really entail." Amen to that, Sister! </span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Page 26, "My other talent is committing to things that seem like a great idea at the time and regretting it later." Oh, yes, I have learned a few lessons with this one. </span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Pages 32-33, when she writes about Perry coming back to the car with a plastic grocery sack, and the next day "he made the walk of shame in his wrinkled rented tuxedo." I laugh every single time I read this. </span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i>1. In Chapter 1, Melanie mentions that she’d always envisioned a Christmas wedding but ended up getting married in August. How did your own wedding day differ from what you thought it might be? </i>To tell you the truth, I don't remember spending a lot of time imagining my wedding. I do know that I wanted it to be different than everyone else's. I saw pictures of a wedding with cream colored bridesmaids dresses and I knew I wanted mine like that, too. That was not something I had seen before where we lived and people (including my mother) thought that was a crazy idea. I also wanted our wedding to be personal but didn't really know what that would look like. Our pre-marital counselor suggested we each write a letter to our parents and have them read as part of our ceremony. We took his advice and it added a beautiful element to our wedding day. </span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i>2. Have you seen ways in your own life that marriage tends to amplify whatever insecurities you have? Have you looked for your husband or job or anything to complete you in some way? </i>I learned the hard way that Jay is not meant to completely fulfill me. Jesus Christ alone can do that. I had expectations of Jay making me happy all the time. I set myself up for disappointment and I set him up for defeat. Thankfully, through great counsel, we weathered that storm and came out on the other side stronger than before. </span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i>3. Do you remember the first time you met your spouse? What stands out in your mind? </i>The first time I saw Jay, he was playing volleyball with my brother, Tommy. Jay had on purple shorts. I remember that he had braces on his teeth, he was a great volleyball player and he had great legs. Basically I thought, "He. Is. Hot." But out of my league. </span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Post your answers in the comments. It will be interesting to see all our different answers. </span></p><div style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(88, 88, 88); font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><br></div>nikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14471226249166442578noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1207030528756086883.post-48479969758181118482014-05-21T16:21:00.001-05:002014-05-21T16:21:16.028-05:00Summer reading<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIdfmAJrxhNWyO_wV3X35PrfqAu-vj1LwmTy8qv-6pv9cAzZRPgzuIkCBkIIqvitJkuG_ybeijM4sqE9FW19B3_t2kno34VoZXJoyQN6yTturB2KJrq-vGId_7idSKwOjiXE9W6oJpH-9y/s640/blogger-image--1994530900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIdfmAJrxhNWyO_wV3X35PrfqAu-vj1LwmTy8qv-6pv9cAzZRPgzuIkCBkIIqvitJkuG_ybeijM4sqE9FW19B3_t2kno34VoZXJoyQN6yTturB2KJrq-vGId_7idSKwOjiXE9W6oJpH-9y/s640/blogger-image--1994530900.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Join me on June 1st for an online book club. We will be reading The Antelope in the Living Room by Melanie Shankle aka Bigmama. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I have been reading Melanie's blog for almost ten years. http://thebigmamablog.com She was recently a guest on Focus on the Family. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I hope you will join me this summer. Each week we will read a few chapters and every Monday I will post "discussion questions". We can "discuss" through posting comments. You can pick up your copy at LifeWay or Target (I'm sure it's other places, I've just seen at both of these) as well as Amazon. It is also available as E-reader format. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This is from the back of the book. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">(See you back here June 1st!) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Marriage . . . you gotta laugh.</b></div><p style="box-sizing: border-box; padding: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 13px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;">They say that marriage is a lot like insanity, in that they both require commitment. I so get that.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;">When you’re in those first giddy stages of dating, you have no idea what life is going to throw your way. You’re just two bright-eyed kids full of optimism, convinced you’re going to be the happiest married couple ever.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;">Y’all. Trust me. Saying, “I do” is easy. It’s the next fifty years or so that can get a little tricky.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;">There are days you feel like you’ve never loved each other more. But there are also days filled with disappointment and silence that never seem to end because you just can’t seem to find the words to make it right.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;">Marriage can be the biggest blessing and the most significant challenge two people ever take on. It’s the joy of knowing there’s someone to share in your sorrows and triumphs, and the challenge of living with someone who thinks it’s a good idea to hang a giant antelope head on your living room wall.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;">And yet we are in this thing together. For the rest of our lives. Not just for better or for worse, but for better AND for worse.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;">That’s what this book is about. The times that brought us together and the times we were falling apart. The days we wouldn’t trade for anything in the world, and that time he hung an antelope on my wall.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">Welcome to the story of a real marriage.</b><br style="box-sizing: border-box;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;">Melanie (aka Big Mama)</span></p><div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>nikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14471226249166442578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1207030528756086883.post-47211580224522796712013-12-09T07:02:00.001-06:002013-12-09T07:02:11.930-06:00Another reminder of how He loves<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkxZhTqprbxOFK6vfAnGjP0kXpd0MdhgIhSjmPFYB_1yoF5foyi5dYm22HQAq6NKsETS_WE6t_b_W87pkI08syXgajOT7fPPmkvwihEGt4BgAZ8JyAwsd0c1SqgqLA298-baVrY-VK_LXb/s640/blogger-image-31438358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkxZhTqprbxOFK6vfAnGjP0kXpd0MdhgIhSjmPFYB_1yoF5foyi5dYm22HQAq6NKsETS_WE6t_b_W87pkI08syXgajOT7fPPmkvwihEGt4BgAZ8JyAwsd0c1SqgqLA298-baVrY-VK_LXb/s640/blogger-image-31438358.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Yesterday, as <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">we (Katie, Mary Margaret & Sophia Vaughn) were heading to church, I had Katie snap this picture of our street. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We slowly made our way out of the neighborhood and onto Battlefield Rd. As we started down the big hill on Battlefield, just before Lone Pine, the car in front of us lost control & slid into the middle of the road, going sideways. In trying to brake, my car started sliding as well & we missed the other car literally by inches. As we got right up to it, and I thought we were going to hit it, I saw the faces of the two ladies in the car, and it was two of our senior ladies from Second. The terror on their faces was indescribable. I was able to steer my car into the turning lane & go around them. As I regained control & kept going, the girls & I watched in the rear view mirror as cars were coming over the hill. Somehow, the lady was able to back up, turn her car around & keep going in the right direction & the cars coming down the hill toward her were all able to stop. </span></div><div>We get to church, I see Jay, and I just lost it. Then, as soon as we started to sing, I had a "flashback." As we were backing out of the driveway, I prayed out loud, asking the Lord to put His angels of protection around us & get us safely to church. At that moment, I was so overwhelmed at the clear realization (once again), how personal my Savior is. He is the King of all kings, yet still cares about me, my daughters, Sophia, our safety. This is not new information for me, just a fresh reminder of how He loves. I was so overwhelmed I could not stop my tears. </div><div><br></div><div>I am reading <i>Pursuing the Christ - Prayers for Christmastime</i> written by Jennifer Kennedy Dean. My friend Mary Kate gave it to me. I'm a big fan of JKD but had not seen this book before. There's a reading for each morning & evening, for each day of December. This is part of last night's --</div><div>"Knowing that you have given to <i>me</i> Your finest treasure, I can rest assured that You will not withhold anything good from me. You shower me moment by moment with tokens of Your love. I pray that my eyes stay open to see the good and perfect gifts that are always flowing from You to me."</div><div><br></div>nikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14471226249166442578noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1207030528756086883.post-42587352925570934892013-07-10T09:22:00.000-05:002013-07-10T09:22:05.940-05:00Here we go again...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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In 2009, I started this blog to write about the transformation of the <a href="http://thehugheshouseandhome.blogspot.com/2010/07/our-home.html" target="_blank">house</a> we bought on Brookside Blvd. in Jefferson City. <a href="http://thehugheshouseandhome.blogspot.com/2010/07/entryway.html" target="_blank">This</a> is my favorite post of befores and afters in that house. </div>
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Well, here we go again! One week from today, we take possession of our next house. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigrutE7KljPzkiN3gkunTUlvH3GvFJlOe_BLb1_7jza3TFr2rwOl0jb1H3i__StLQjQN7J5ShkkgCH9VEbV7LC2J4uWdkLjVo-Qgmw2FVrY2_RH-Q6f2IMHPBzF79jrca9FW7y2G0lPpZ4/s1600/front+before+trim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigrutE7KljPzkiN3gkunTUlvH3GvFJlOe_BLb1_7jza3TFr2rwOl0jb1H3i__StLQjQN7J5ShkkgCH9VEbV7LC2J4uWdkLjVo-Qgmw2FVrY2_RH-Q6f2IMHPBzF79jrca9FW7y2G0lPpZ4/s320/front+before+trim.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Little by little, we will make it our own, and it will gradually go from "the house" to "our home." I will post updates as we make progress. Here are a few of the before pics.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUOhcWO21RjdgexYit0R_J988KyC_stS6aW0OZC3nGNwVH3SER6ncYxJUc6AlvUQPj2Y96_P4UrAmkQkTdh8z9OF2kA93mEyOsb3MzcnS0EawkSa4aIywzdp5lv6_J_Sh7MbxZJnonr0KV/s1600/door.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUOhcWO21RjdgexYit0R_J988KyC_stS6aW0OZC3nGNwVH3SER6ncYxJUc6AlvUQPj2Y96_P4UrAmkQkTdh8z9OF2kA93mEyOsb3MzcnS0EawkSa4aIywzdp5lv6_J_Sh7MbxZJnonr0KV/s320/door.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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I cannot wait to paint this front door! I'm going with a red. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmL9oSxmc1ZhZlpv0rFY47I2n8bEpG5jstFiXCunR-rrNmqehCj_Lmi5wZ_yL_9OAmURTBcbVBPDwJ132pWpR3c75mU6PoIkBNrBXwmMgR9Qtvc2XtojwfuFH-niV7bN1iWq55VR5MZ279/s1600/kitchen.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmL9oSxmc1ZhZlpv0rFY47I2n8bEpG5jstFiXCunR-rrNmqehCj_Lmi5wZ_yL_9OAmURTBcbVBPDwJ132pWpR3c75mU6PoIkBNrBXwmMgR9Qtvc2XtojwfuFH-niV7bN1iWq55VR5MZ279/s320/kitchen.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Nice big kitchen!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNKgwfHP19tvsrdrXiU3fALDZ4XOrtvNyHohk0__5I6y73hyphenhyphenGaecDWPqVBTM11srgjn0mwHlrpc0CugxJGNrMSt4MhAaMYUXynN5_l3z1HX-B8uT67HLmY2c5MCiOvVIXFSBBjvZqOipxT/s1600/valleyview+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNKgwfHP19tvsrdrXiU3fALDZ4XOrtvNyHohk0__5I6y73hyphenhyphenGaecDWPqVBTM11srgjn0mwHlrpc0CugxJGNrMSt4MhAaMYUXynN5_l3z1HX-B8uT67HLmY2c5MCiOvVIXFSBBjvZqOipxT/s320/valleyview+011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Dining room.<br />
<br />
First, flooring will come up, all trim & doors & cabinets will be painted. Walls will be next. New flooring goes down. Cleaning cleaning cleaning all the while. <br />
<br />
Let the fun begin!<br />
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nikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14471226249166442578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1207030528756086883.post-55992620015509395152013-06-15T09:06:00.002-05:002013-06-15T09:06:39.903-05:00Happy Father's Day, Dadddy!
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGVK8uQHY4K3LaB6qyc_V_Lb_bTymeF3jUdMuQ-lBJdgMPXVf5vyHYTXpkzB3tw0Y7QSXXGnpxjQdvrx-bkuHqUEUpbvthHA5BmuNW2GsIYDZ_Eaw7ob6LMg-knrwG0Ghu188A36EYXA2l/s1600/daddy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGVK8uQHY4K3LaB6qyc_V_Lb_bTymeF3jUdMuQ-lBJdgMPXVf5vyHYTXpkzB3tw0Y7QSXXGnpxjQdvrx-bkuHqUEUpbvthHA5BmuNW2GsIYDZ_Eaw7ob6LMg-knrwG0Ghu188A36EYXA2l/s320/daddy.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: white;">
</span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: white;">My dad loves to tell the story
about how when I was a baby and my family was traveling, they would put me in a
cardboard box in the floorboard of the car. For real. There’s even a picture
(somewhere at Mom’s) to prove it. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: white;">When Mary Margaret was born, he
got a lot of mileage out of telling people she was named after the mother of
Jesus and the mother of Tom. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: white;">My dad loves to tell lots of
stories, and ask lots of questions. And I am exactly the same way! <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: white;">In light of Father’s Day being
tomorrow, I was thinking about what I’ve learned from my dad. Here are the ones
that came to mind immediately.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="color: white;">1.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="color: white;">Find the bargain.
You’ll be glad you </span><span style="color: white;">did. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="color: white;">2.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="color: white;">People are
important. Things are</span><span style="color: white;"> not.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="color: white;">3.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="color: white;">The principles we
live by are based on what God’s Word says, regardless if we serve in ministry
or not.</span> <span style="color: white;">As a teen, I said to my mom, “I sure wish Daddy wasn’t a preacher, then
he would let me blah blah blah</span> <span style="color: white;">(I don’t even remember what it was).” She went
on to tell me that it was not because he was a preacher that he</span><span style="color: white;"> felt the way he
did; it was because he was a believer, and his stand was because of what</span> <span style="color: white;">the
Word said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="color: white;">4.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="color: white;">Pick your
battles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I asked him one time (I
was a new parent) how he & Mom knew which issues to make a big deal about,
rather than making a big deal about everything. He said that</span> <span style="color: white;">they picked their
battles. I can look back and see the wisdom in how they did that with me.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="color: white;">5.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="color: white;">In marriage, it’s
the everyday things that make or break a couple. The trips away are a good
thing, but it’s the day in and day out, the way</span> <span style="color: white;">we serve (or don’t), engage
with (or don’t), honor (or don’t) each other every single day that w</span><span style="color: white;">ill keep us
connected (or not).<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="color: white;">6.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="color: white;">Serve. Don’t just
talk about serving, do it. I may have blogged about this before, but about 10
years ago, I ran into a man who Daddy pastored and also officiated his wedding in
the late 70’s. This man wanted to go into ministry, and went on to seminary
after college. He told me that his wife’s dad had died and the family didn’t
have a pastor, so Daddy went & did the funeral. He said that the family was
poor and could not afford to pay the company that would come and dig the grave,
so after the graveside service was over, the uncles and other family members
there took the shovels and started digging. He said it was raining and just a
dismal situation. He said Daddy took off his sport coat and laid it on a chair
with his Bible, grabbed a shovel and started digging.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The man said, “Your dad taught me more about
ministry that day than any class I’ve ever </span><span style="color: white;">taken.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><o:p><span style="color: white; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: white;">I am thankful
that my two daughters have a dad that has the same values that my dad has. What
a heritage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know that everyone does
not have the same provision. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="color: white; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: white;">I am so thankful.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span>nikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14471226249166442578noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1207030528756086883.post-52783594430528452942013-01-06T18:59:00.000-06:002013-01-06T18:59:08.433-06:00Word for the year...Years ago, Dr. Uth (at First Baptist West Monroe) would challenge us to find a word for the year. I still think of that every January. <br />
<br />
In years past, my words have been surrender, contentment, opportinities. You get the idea.<br />
<br />
This year it is discipline. I'm hesitant to even choose this word because it sounds so new-years-resolution-ish. But truthfully, it's something I've been lacking/struggling with lacking for months - both spiritually and physically. Some things have got to change in my life. I'm so frustrated with myself - my laziness. Starting the year with the Daniel Fast is one way to practice. <br />
<br />
What about you? What's your word for 2013?nikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14471226249166442578noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1207030528756086883.post-12709830538580163682012-12-22T10:41:00.000-06:002012-12-22T10:41:18.704-06:00What a week!
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Highlights: <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Mary
Margaret was already on her break from school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She and I got $5 manicures at the beauty school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes, you get what you pay for. But it
was fun!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Mary
Margaret had 3 girls over to make gingerbread houses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hearing their laughter was a delight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Katie
finished her finals and is now on break.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And is now enjoying watching movies, reading books, sleeping in and NO
geometry.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Coffee with
a friend while it snowed outside. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Big smile on
Mary Margaret’s face when she saw the snow coming down.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Dessert date
with my hubs (had dinner with the girls here at home, then went out for dessert
– great for a quick, inexpensive date and uninterrupted conversation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sure do love spending time with this man).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Dinner twice
this week with Ms. Ruth and Dr. Marshall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>How amazing it is that around 2003ish, Jay made the statement that it
would be an incredible opportunity to be mentored by/work with Dr. John
Marshall, and here we are at Second Baptist in 2012.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God does give us the desires of our
hearts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Met some new
friends, inspiring conversation.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Katie got
her driver’s permit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is she really old
enough to be driving? Time is flying by. I want to push pause for awhile.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Lots of
laughs with the other pastors and wives (with the exception of the Segars, who
we missed!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>White elephant gifts that I
am certain will be regifted.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Charades in
our living room, watching Jay act out “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas.” It
was absolutely hilarious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Watching Tim
Hawkins and Dave Barnes Christmas videos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Laughing some more.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">One friend’s
daughter is feeling better, one friend’s mom is now home recuperating from
surgery, another friend stood her ground with courage, another friend’s
daughter moved back home with an attitude of appreciation, another friend’s
husband has a promising new job just around the corner.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">One friend
spoke bluntly to me and nailed me, my selfishness is ever before me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I needed to hear her say it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How thankful I am for friends who speak truth
and love me even when the not-so-lovely pieces of me are seen so clearly. God
uses people in my life to speak to me, to direct me back to Him.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">In light of
the evil that was so clearly evident last Friday, it does my heart good to see
God at work around me, and be reminded that He is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">active</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Simple
pleasures. Can it get any better? I don’t think so. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span>nikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14471226249166442578noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1207030528756086883.post-23562256413696839772012-10-30T09:31:00.000-05:002012-10-30T09:31:17.307-05:00Day #30<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizqZmB2okxhSE1lydYL-HEALEuiEIlyaFWg_OPEKA6tvjZh1hWAqwET2kJvFnWH0d0rp1XCVxKW38Pvk4eq8EXNuSPp4SsCpFJkoWw_GMBbBjklxR1u9MWgzqQFsuXeuOhQHNu55y_gGxj/s1600/katie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizqZmB2okxhSE1lydYL-HEALEuiEIlyaFWg_OPEKA6tvjZh1hWAqwET2kJvFnWH0d0rp1XCVxKW38Pvk4eq8EXNuSPp4SsCpFJkoWw_GMBbBjklxR1u9MWgzqQFsuXeuOhQHNu55y_gGxj/s320/katie.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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She turns 15 today. I remember clearly the day she was born. I was so glad she was not born on Halloween. She missed it by an hour and 15 minutes.<br />
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Katie, I am telling you, girl, I love being your mom. You make me smile. You make me laugh. You handle yourself with grace. You engage with people around you. You are so much like your dad! <br />
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I want to be like you when I grow up! (smile) <br />
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Seriously, you are an amazing young woman. I see Jesus all over you. I am so thankful that you love Him so much. Because, as many times as people around you (including me) will let you down, He is The One who will not. It's going to be so exciting to see you join Him as He is at work around you. <br />
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I hope it's a great birthday for you. And you can thank me later for not showing up today at school with balloons. Love you! Mom<br />
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nikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14471226249166442578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1207030528756086883.post-721408451158058832012-10-27T12:41:00.001-05:002012-10-27T12:41:11.872-05:00Day #27I am at GA retreat again this weekend and loving every minute. I wish I had something profound to say but I can't think of anything, so I'll tell you about my Thursday night.<br />
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I had a date! We went to see the new Alex Cross movie (Matthew Fox plays a great creeper) and then on to Panera for dinner and conversation. <br />
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It was much needed and delightful. I so enjoy time with my fellow. nikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14471226249166442578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1207030528756086883.post-11737978328114254092012-10-26T08:03:00.001-05:002012-10-26T08:03:39.388-05:00Day #26 Becoming More than a Good Bible Study GirlI am in the second week of a Bible study called <i>Becoming More than a Good Bible Study Girl</i>, by Lysa Terkeurst. Joy gave me the book a few years ago and I read it as a fast read, not slowly reading and digesting it. But in reading it again now, and doing the workbook, I am going it through it more slowly and processing it as I go. Man, it is some good stuff. It's basically taking a look at my life, and all the "good/right" things I do (going to church, serving others, reading my Bible, etc) and checking those off of the Good Bible Study Girl checklist. Then, asking the questions "What about my heart? Are these things just external, so that I am looking good to others?" etc. <br />
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From page 34, "When God's Word gets inside of us, it becomes the new way we process life. It rearranges our thoughts, our motives, our needs and our desires."<br />
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One Scripture that has changed my life is a verse from 2 Timothy. <span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">I was introduced to this Scripture the summer of 1987 when I worked at the Vineyard (with Chanda Clark, Buffy Coble and Ron Thompson). This was our theme for summer. This verse changed my life. Not necessarily that summer, but more so in years to come. </span><br />
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2 Timothy 1:7 "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of love, power and sound mind." <br />
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What this says to me: Fear does not come from God. It comes from the enemy. When I am fearful, the enemy is thrilled. He has got me right where he wants me:distracted. When I am fearful, the enemy loves it: I'm questioning God, His love for me, His plan for me, His promises. Fear is <i>not</i> from My Father who loves me more than I can even understand. Here are the things that <i>do</i> come from Him - a spirit of love: love that comes from Him and flows out of me onto other people, a love that I do not even pretend to understand, just accept it and enjoy it. He gives me power - power that comes from Him, power of self-control, bringing my runaway thoughts back under control, power that fights thoughts of jealousy and pride. He also gives me sound mind = clear thinking, rational thinking.<br />
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Those are things that He provides, but I have to choose whether or not to accept those. I wish I could say "Oh, yes! Everyday, those are the choices I make." But that would be a big fat lie, because I don't.<br />
<br />
I agree with the quote above from Lysa's book, about God's Word inside us rearranging our thoughts, motives, needs and desires. The hurdle for me is allowing it in. After years of attending church and listening to hundreds of sermons, and even years of personal Bible study, I have the head knowledge. When I allow the Word to get all the way into my heart, things do change, no doubt about it. But that is the hard part. <br />
<br />
I heard a college student say not too long ago (when talking about a class that teaches application of God's Word) something along the lines of, "If we learn and learn about Scripture but never apply it to our lives, all that makes us is smarter sinners." <br />
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Just some food for thought.<br />
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<br />nikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14471226249166442578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1207030528756086883.post-20881624413385832952012-10-25T06:58:00.000-05:002012-10-25T06:58:36.969-05:00Day #25Life is hard.<br />
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Yesterday, a family in our church was changed and things won't ever be the same. I cannot put into words all that I think or feel but Amanda has done it so beautifully, I'm linking over to her post. You can read it <a href="http://cunninghamtrifecta.blogspot.com/2012/10/hers-didnt.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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nikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14471226249166442578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1207030528756086883.post-85134351108932627342012-10-24T06:51:00.000-05:002012-10-24T06:51:19.380-05:00Day #24 SchoolSchool - public vs university model?<br />
<br />
Our family has been a part of both of these types of schools. In fact, we've had one girl in each for the past 4 years. Katie was at Lighthouse, a university model school, for 6th - 8th grades (85ish students). She went to class M W and; F and we did school at home on T and Th. It was a great experience. As was the public school she attended the previous years. Those teachers at Lawson had it going on! We loved our time there.<br />
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This year, Katie is at Central High School, public school, with 1,500ish students. Needless to say, big change this year. I'm going to ask if I can interview her and if she agrees, her thoughts will be appearing here very soon.<br />
<br />
Today, Mary Margaret has agreed to be interviewed. Background on her: K and 1st grade at Lawson, 2nd grade at South, 3rd and; 4th grades at Moreau Heights (all public). We never had a horrific anything at these schools. Her teachers cared for her and taught her and loved on her while she was at each one. Leaving Moreau Heights was the toughest, I believe because she's older and has established relationships and that makes all the difference when leaving a place.<br />
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She and Katie have switched places, so to speak. She goes to Glora Deo Academy here in Springfield, a classical education university model school. She goes to class M and; W, and we are home T, Th and; Fri. Most weeks she finishes her schoolwork on Thurs and has Friday "off."<br />
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Me: What are some things like you like about your school?<br />
MM: New Friends! I only have to go to actual class two days a week, and we are home the other days. People in my class are nice to each other. And with a smaller group (15), the girls get closer with all the girls and the guys are closer to each other, we all can get to know each other better. I love how at recess we get to be with kids in other grades, like the 4th and 6th grade girls. We have a field to play in. I get to take Latin. We are having a dinner theater! We talk about God in our class and we read the Bible at school.<br />
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Me: What is your least favorite thing?<br />
MM: Wearing a uniform. But it's not too bad. It is comfy and I get to choose what color shirt I wear.<br />
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Me: If you could change anything about your new school, what would it be?<br />
MM: No uniform.<br />
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She did tell me that while EER (gifted in Jefferson City) was challenging in one area at a time (of her choosing), this is challenging in every area every day.<br />
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I will say that she is certainly being stretched like never before, and I've had to be patient as that in itself is an adjustment, not to mention everything else around her changing (with moving to a new city).<br />
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It seems that she is feeling more settled now, more sure of herself. I have struggled over the years with feeling like MM sometimes gets the short end of the stick (due to circumstances beyond my control - us moving, others moving, etc). I believe she will thrive and flourish in the next few years. She has such an amazing compassion for people. It's going to be exciting to see how God uses that in her life and in the lives of those around her.<br />
<br />nikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14471226249166442578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1207030528756086883.post-14740423633371881972012-10-23T10:49:00.000-05:002012-10-23T10:49:05.970-05:00Day #2332 days until our vacation.<br />
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I think I am looking forward to this trip more than anyone else in my family. I keep thinking about the fact that these family trips, with just the 4 of us, are now numbered. 3 years from now, Katie will be off to college, and will be working, etc. I see friends whose kids are grown and off on their own, or in college, and the number of times they are all together goes down significantly. Now those kids are bringing home their significant others, or all the kids are rarely home at the same time -- I now it's the natural progression of things, it just makes me want to treasure these times - the time we are all together, the original Hughes Four. <br />
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And so, in 32 days, we will head to DisneyWorld. <br />
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Oh, wait, did I say vacation? Maybe I should call it our family trip. <br />
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nikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14471226249166442578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1207030528756086883.post-18126491174109392002012-10-22T10:21:00.003-05:002012-10-22T10:21:44.159-05:00Day #22 In a funkToday is one of those days. I am in a funk. I'm certain that lack of rest over the weekend contributes to this greatly. Be that as it may, I'm still in a funk. I'm teary. I'm grumpy. I want to go back to bed.<br />
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I blew it this weekend. Not externally. You could have been in the same room with me all weekend and never known that I blew it. Because even though it was not evident on the outside, it was in my heart. Only two of us knew - God and me.<br />
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I was angry. I still am. I know <u>what</u> to do with my mad (take it to God, give it to Him and <em>leave it</em>). I know <u>how</u> to do this. IT IS HARD TO DO. I know <u>why</u> to do this. His word tells me to, it's one of the ways He shows His love for me, by bearing my burdens.<br />
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I go through the thoughts in my mind, this is righteous indignation, I have a right to be angry about this. <br />
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But really, do I? Didn't I give up my "rights" when I gave my life to Jesus? He calls me to complete surrender.<br />
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This battle between flesh and Spirit continues. It is day by day, sometimes hour by hour, even minute by minute.<br />
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I've asked God to forgive me for my anger, and I know that He has. Now, it is time to move forward and leave this in the rear view mirror.<br />
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Sweet surrender. That seems like an oxymoron. But what rest it brings. Rest for my heart. Peace that I cannot find anywhere else.<br />
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<h3>
Lamentations 3:22-23</h3>
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<em><span class="text Lam-3-22" id="en-NIV-20377"><sup class="versenum">22 </sup>Because of the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>’s great love<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-20377A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup> we are not consumed,<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-20377B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Lam-3-22">for his compassions never fail. </span></span></em></div>
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<em><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Lam-3-22"></span></span><span class="text Lam-3-23" id="en-NIV-20378"><sup class="versenum">23 </sup>They are new every morning;</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Lam-3-23">great is your faithfulness.</span></span></em></div>
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nikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14471226249166442578noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1207030528756086883.post-24315393534669892252012-10-21T19:03:00.001-05:002012-10-21T19:03:59.701-05:00Day #21Negative people suck the life right out of me.nikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14471226249166442578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1207030528756086883.post-50697147925003191812012-10-20T10:28:00.000-05:002012-10-20T15:01:55.113-05:00Day #20 Book or photo album?Jay told me a few days ago that he had spoken with one of his former co-workers from the convention. He told me about the conversation with Letha and we had a good laugh. I got teary-eyed thinking about her. Here is the conversation that followed:<br />
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"Are you looking forward to seeing everyone at annual meeting?"<br />
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"Yes." (with a big smile)<br />
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"Did it make you sad, to talk to Letha?"<br />
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"No."<br />
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"Will it make you sad to see everyone?"<br />
<br />
"No."<br />
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"Why not? Don't you miss everyone?"<br />
<br />
after a minute went by...<br />
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"Yes, I miss them. But it doesn't make me sad to see or talk to them. I'm like a book. That chapter is closed. A new chapter has started. You are like a photo album. You like to flip back through the pictures and remember."<br />
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He may be on to something.nikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14471226249166442578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1207030528756086883.post-8098429217495484552012-10-19T08:21:00.000-05:002012-10-19T08:21:01.010-05:00Day #19 Favorite Household ProductsHere are some of my favorite things to use in our home.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZznukLrsvKWl4LXRB_VFLtmOPlOem6M8AY5ilvE4lGq0kBkZwnYxh_o8vCs02R5_GLS2p9skDOy4HL_dOS0-Rv2cBXnpUKmZFilxOQgYhKICrGLscupa-MPR5jj6KWLI1UqKWVrYG0mlV/s1600/IMG_1579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZznukLrsvKWl4LXRB_VFLtmOPlOem6M8AY5ilvE4lGq0kBkZwnYxh_o8vCs02R5_GLS2p9skDOy4HL_dOS0-Rv2cBXnpUKmZFilxOQgYhKICrGLscupa-MPR5jj6KWLI1UqKWVrYG0mlV/s320/IMG_1579.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Kris Crawford introduced me to this Method toilet cleaner and I have to say, I love it! I get it at Target, and as Kris says, if you have to do a dirty job, might as well use a product that makes your whole bathroom smell nice and fresh.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitO-gL8BosyD2jjEyIX9YJo3tQrxrlobsRoKVlBnLT-XMD_6ZXY0vzvRwrdHFn-X4mGsz-hjRujPIVkoZNP7zmLzUyPoPBgQgy4kb2SsJyevO56fMlEYLhfAhrgRQVVQiqf6OWeDEeOmF6/s1600/IMG_1574.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitO-gL8BosyD2jjEyIX9YJo3tQrxrlobsRoKVlBnLT-XMD_6ZXY0vzvRwrdHFn-X4mGsz-hjRujPIVkoZNP7zmLzUyPoPBgQgy4kb2SsJyevO56fMlEYLhfAhrgRQVVQiqf6OWeDEeOmF6/s320/IMG_1574.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Becky Meeker introduced me to Bar Keepers Friend, and Dana Meeker Thornhill introduced her. This is the best cleaner for my stainless steel kitchen sink. My sink shines when I use this. Love it.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc6iqHkPU7BFH4QOqBnMCc83IGJpyMEY12I10kai50LB7L7Tzf7txTlvy1560loqpTjreICYkqbCL0jOdBnLHkCv_otcjTwA0-Cbic5WXXgqWdY_3cgukqN9LrPzwl_dP8y8UGHBlRNZ-d/s1600/IMG_1577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc6iqHkPU7BFH4QOqBnMCc83IGJpyMEY12I10kai50LB7L7Tzf7txTlvy1560loqpTjreICYkqbCL0jOdBnLHkCv_otcjTwA0-Cbic5WXXgqWdY_3cgukqN9LrPzwl_dP8y8UGHBlRNZ-d/s320/IMG_1577.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Both Casey Marchman and Chanda Clark told me about Mrs. Meyer's cleaners. This is a big bottle, and I add a capful to a spray bottle filled with warm water. It makes our house smell clean but not medicinal or ammonia-ish.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuacdCZfbGl510dVnorgHc1tO5M3vgN5ucqeGxIQqNV7j1T7iCx8y3DbTMPaD1jf9MmL-13eFSpEQZ69eH5wY84Bf_RY87fLiH-EXXCJB_zYvSSRuCRdaRL9Fc1u2czOYrizGwOdPZU_QW/s1600/IMG_1575.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuacdCZfbGl510dVnorgHc1tO5M3vgN5ucqeGxIQqNV7j1T7iCx8y3DbTMPaD1jf9MmL-13eFSpEQZ69eH5wY84Bf_RY87fLiH-EXXCJB_zYvSSRuCRdaRL9Fc1u2czOYrizGwOdPZU_QW/s320/IMG_1575.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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I really like this iron. Jay got it for me at Lowe's, after I walked by and admired it a few times. It's heavy and it reminds me of the iron Mom had when we were growing up.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoSEwokA8E8I9Xq21KjeaCRCnq7QAta70FiOOGgwrha6TgA_8PXjfVU-irF3ATsc3O6zl3hyg7dV1zkyV7YV_THtidjEYUtPwKZtBSl1LdRFPYExM3AIBSS6ez7gZ7m2q1Qqp8WGqO_O9e/s1600/IMG_1585.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoSEwokA8E8I9Xq21KjeaCRCnq7QAta70FiOOGgwrha6TgA_8PXjfVU-irF3ATsc3O6zl3hyg7dV1zkyV7YV_THtidjEYUtPwKZtBSl1LdRFPYExM3AIBSS6ez7gZ7m2q1Qqp8WGqO_O9e/s320/IMG_1585.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is laundry wash made by Tyler candle company. I only use this to wash towels, and most often for guests. It only takes a capful. It smells really good. The scent I have is "High Maintenance." I've found it at Good and Perfect Gifts in Jefferson City.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-oCarm-kv-7x28z8P3a42ob_u2on_vFESr4ANXaFdEkwIND-7sV9daQXrOPoIl2bgQ-pjG2KUxSjnNn98u4B884dpatMfkA41fbjXeAqi5IMzp4s41mGAvSqjX_nuUT7RIRUn1dCb9z-R/s1600/IMG_1587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-oCarm-kv-7x28z8P3a42ob_u2on_vFESr4ANXaFdEkwIND-7sV9daQXrOPoIl2bgQ-pjG2KUxSjnNn98u4B884dpatMfkA41fbjXeAqi5IMzp4s41mGAvSqjX_nuUT7RIRUn1dCb9z-R/s320/IMG_1587.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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You probably recognize this from Bath and Body Works. I like these little plug in things. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ru9lJ7M-d5PodvdShgRzKB44CoORfz0gjAn6sM17Mfe5r-tE7wfVBw4-kJkayulVII_a-R1Zr5x_meuRmF1OF5XApFJZiNYljm_bFrIGlZz6Vf_fbgMv5l1p1k88yvwI8BKmlCQeOGHC/s1600/IMG_1586.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ru9lJ7M-d5PodvdShgRzKB44CoORfz0gjAn6sM17Mfe5r-tE7wfVBw4-kJkayulVII_a-R1Zr5x_meuRmF1OF5XApFJZiNYljm_bFrIGlZz6Vf_fbgMv5l1p1k88yvwI8BKmlCQeOGHC/s320/IMG_1586.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Goo Gone! This stuff will get sticky residue off of anything! I even used it on Mary Margaret's shirt that had a sticker on it when it went through the laundry. I'm a believer.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAjfAx6hBJBcEEh9mZdxBeAqY9LwU3od2u6opqVFTy3dxkO3wFwMxKsvzhG2BNuqRbaf8LXIds23DKcPzfpLNIK7aCnojvtSmz22iWdcJ0jA3NHQXGweOwoQ336oa_XXHdcH7GDrGorfcz/s1600/IMG_1583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAjfAx6hBJBcEEh9mZdxBeAqY9LwU3od2u6opqVFTy3dxkO3wFwMxKsvzhG2BNuqRbaf8LXIds23DKcPzfpLNIK7aCnojvtSmz22iWdcJ0jA3NHQXGweOwoQ336oa_XXHdcH7GDrGorfcz/s320/IMG_1583.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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This one is not a household product, it's a "improve my appearance" product.<br />
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Clinique All About Eyes Concealer. This. Product. Works. I get dark circles all around my eyes - it used to be just below, but now they go all the way around. I went to the Clinique counter a few weeks ago, during bonus time, to get some new foundation. Ms. Vonda waited on me, and we chatted a little, and just before I checked out, she said, "Would you like to come back next week and we could work on your make up a little?" I immediately said, "Yes!" I have always felt like when I try to do my eyes, I look like a child playing in her mother's make up. So, I went back. And she introduced me to this concealer. I am here to tell you that it works. And, I love Ms. Vonda, too. She's from north Alabama and we had the nicest visit while she did my make up. In fact, she gave me her card and her number, and I called her, and we are going to lunch today!<br />
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nikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14471226249166442578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1207030528756086883.post-14677584166263041892012-10-18T09:39:00.001-05:002012-10-18T09:42:00.373-05:00Day #18 Randomness It's day #18 and I'm wracking my brain about what to write about today.<br />
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So here goes some randomness.<br />
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Tomorrow night, we are going to see Brandon Heath & Matt Maher in concert and I'm just a little bit excited about it. And the concert is only 10 minutes away from our house!! Woohoo! No two hour drive after it's over.<br />
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Jay is picking up our/my new chair today. I "shop" so thriftily 90% of the time (which I do enjoy) that to get something brand new is such a treat. Come over to our house. And if you are really nice, I might invite you to sit in the new chair. Why am I so excited? It's a chair, for crying out loud. It's a mystery.<br />
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I'm in a bit of a dilemma. One of the most exciting things to me about joining in with the people at Second is the wide variety of ministry opportunities that I could be a part of. I had heard about this for a few years before I even knew being here was a possibility. What I had not considered was how hard it is to figure out exactly where the best place is for me to serve. There are 4 areas that get me jazzed but there is no way I can do them all. So, I'm making myself sit back, wait and I'm asking God to show me the place He has for me.<br />
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The next two weekends, I will be at Baptist Hill camp, working with grade school girls at the fall GA retreats. GA's are close to my heart! I remember as a little girl, going to GA's on Wednesday nights at church. We read about places all over the world and the missionaries called to serve there. We tasted food from other places and played games from other cultures. We read stories of the missionaries' experiences. And we prayed for them, on their birthdays, after reading the prayer calendar. So the next two weekends, I will get to tell a few hundred girls all about my trip to Sierra Leone summer of 2011. And hopefully, convey the message to these girls that whatever talents and gifts we have, God can use those for His honor and glory, if we make ourselves available to Him. It's going to be a great time.nikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14471226249166442578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1207030528756086883.post-72401134348244412622012-10-17T10:32:00.001-05:002012-10-17T10:32:31.682-05:00Day #17 MotherhoodOn Day #9, I was running out of ideas on what to write about, and my cousin, Brian, gave me suggestions. Here's one: <span id=".reactRoot[105].[1][2][1]{comment126210827527386_170474}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[6]">What is different about being a wife/mother from what you always envisioned it growing up? What’s better, what’s worse?</span><br />
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<span>Poor Katie, the firstborn, I apologize to her all the time. She's the first time we've done this parenting thing. She has to be the one we "experiment" on, sometimes it turns out well, and sometimes, not so much. Thankfully, she is one forgiving girl!</span><br />
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<span>I want Katie and Mary Margaret to smile all the time. I want them to be happy. I have come to the realization that that expectation is unrealistic and ridiculous. They are not going to be happy all the time, I cannot make them happy all the time, and that is ok. </span><span> They are not responsible for my happiness, either. I have to keep my expectations in check. I don't always do this, but I know that I need to.</span><br />
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<span>Time flies by. I will admit, I am not one of those moms who wishes the baby days were back. I was so glad when they were old enough to talk to me, tell me what hurt, or why they were crying. I felt like the baby days were such a guessing game. I was so not confident about mothering babies, very unsure about so much of it.</span><br />
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<span><span>I think the biggest eye opener for me has been how my perspective of my mom has changed. She stayed home with us until I went to Kindergarten and then she went back to work. Some of my fondest memories are of the two of us whenever we would get to go to the mall. We only shopped for needs, back to school and special occasions, so we didn't hang out at the mall all the time. But sometimes, when we got to splurge, we would go to Bob's lemonade and get those chocolate ice cream bars (the ones they dip in chocolate, then roll in peanuts). Those tasted so good! It was during those times (when I was in upper high school) that I remember us having good conversation.</span><br />
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<span>What I also think of now is how tired she must have been, taking me after work. I say that out loud to Katie and Mary Margaret all the time, but I do not remember Mama ever saying how tired she was.</span><br />
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<span>I also see now how unselfish she was, in fact, I would say that she is one of the most unselfish people I know. As we got older, she worked in order to help us get through college. I remember the day I realized that (I was still in college) and I was really taken aback, and I remember thinking then that she was amazing, because I would <em>never</em> do that for my kids. Obviously, I feel differently now. I will do whatever I can to help our girls get through school.</span><br />
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<span>Being a mom is so much more...emotionally involved than I thought it would be. But I sure do love it. </span></span>nikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14471226249166442578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1207030528756086883.post-24287264609786096312012-10-16T09:19:00.001-05:002012-10-16T09:19:19.259-05:00Day #16 Time <br />
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A good friend once told me, "Sometimes you have to say no to good things in order to say yes to the best things."<br />
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That is hard! I have a week packed full and it's only Tuesday and I'm already feeling overwhelmed. <br />
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My first course of action is to sit down and write out what needs to be done when. Go from there, checking things off the list. I feel better already. <br />
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The things that bothers me most about this is the fact that Jay and I may go a few days without an actual conversation. Does this happen to anyone besides me?nikihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14471226249166442578noreply@blogger.com1