Look who saw it!

It, being his shadow!! Six more weeks of winter for us!

As I was driving the Little Miss to school this morning she told me this...

Little Miss: Mommy, the snow looks pretty when it first falls.

Me: This is true.

Little Miss: But then it's not very pretty and we have to play on the blacktop because it makes the grass all mushy.

Of course, I'm thinking she's brilliant!

AVATAR

Hubby and I saw AVATAR today and I really enjoyed it!

Although we looked like dorks with our glasses on, the special effects were amazing!

I do not recommend it for little ones and my kids won't be seeing it.

Winter, be gone!

Winter, be gone!

Is it possible to skip February and head right on into spring?

Ideas about that?

Psalm 118:24

This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 118:24

Yucky weather and all...let's try to enjoy it!

"Don't tell me you peed in my kitchen glass!"

Amazingly enough, I was mopping the bathroom floors yesterday. Bubby came in and told me he needed to go to the restroom. Both bathroom floors were wet and I told him he just needed to wait a few minutes. He left the room. A couple minutes later he comes in carrying a glass. As I started at the glass I thought to myself, "He's playing a trick on me...did I have apple juice in the fridge?" I realized that I indeed did NOT have any juice in the fridge and he had absolutely peed in my kitchen glass. I started at him, stunned. Then I told him he needed to leave the room while I thought about how to handle this. So...I told him that since he had peed in my kitchen glass he had to drink it! He look at me with eyes the size of quarters and asked if I was serious. Initially, I told him yes...and then I quickly told him no. However, I explained that it was disgusting. I also asked him why he didn't go in one of his Transformer cups (I'm sure that would be gross!). I repeatedly told myself that urine is sterile, informed him that I'd prefer him go off the back porch then in a glass, and told him that the floor can always be dried with a towel.Wow...what was he thinking?? That it would be cool to pee in a glass? I don't get it!!

Back to School...me, not them!

I've tossed it around. Thought long and hard about it. Prayed about it. Stewed about it. Talked about it. And finally, I took the plunge.

Next Monday I go back to school, full-time. Some call me crazy.

My sisters think I'm nuts. Actually, maybe I think I'm nuts too!

But....here goes nothing!!

More to come about that later!

In other news...

I find this humorous. You all know that I'm not a Barry O fan!

This is the picture that MSN had up today.

Me thinks that the winds are changing and our dear media is reporting a different kind of news then they were a year ago!

SICK OF IT!!

You know what? I'm so stinking sick of hearing about Barry's health care reform!!

I have one simple question.

If insurance companies are going to be required to get rid of pre-existing conditions

and they aren't going to be able to charge more to people with past problems,

who is going to wind up paying for all these new folks they're covering?

Answer: All of us!

Everyone's premiums are going to go up and we are ALL going to feel it...

except the good folks in D.C. because they get special stuff that the rest of us "don't deserve"!

Isn't change great?

iPhone...what did I do before we met?

I have a confession!

I'm having a love affair...with my phone!

I text.

I call (with my new blue tooth).

I facebook.

I google.

I read Fox News.

I check my emails.

I download apps.

I play Words with Friends (up to 20 games at a time)

and Labyrinth 2.

I'm out of control!

Umm....my phone's ringing...gotta go!

Happy 100!

Holy smokes...I finally made it! One hundred followers...

Thanks to all who read my posts!

Five Little Pups

Remember Spike??

Spike was supposed to be a boy...and we got him a male friend except

NOT really!!

Remember Spikette??

Well, they were more then just friends!

Actually, hubby and I got an interesting National Geographic lesson a few weeks ago...

Look what they did!

She's a good little momma!

Interesting fact: Gerbil daddies actually help with the rearing and he's very protective.
Interesting fact #2: Gerbils make more babies immediately after delivery (that ain't right, by the way) and she's probably pregnant as I type.

The warrior is a child

"It's not about being who everyone else wants you to be, it's about being yourself and finding someone who loves every bit of it"

I found this quote today and I like it! Couldn't find who came up with it. I'm a bit of an outgoing person...what you see is what you get. I'm not saying that I don't have to be responsible for how I act, however, it's important to be accepted for who we really are. I'm one of those people that can act like everything is okay...people don't know that sometimes I go home to cry. I have a strong personality but have often wished that it wasn't so. I don't wear make up, would rather wear comfy clothes then dress up, and probably not as "ladylike" as my mother hoped I would be. Life is a strange thing. What makes us who we are? How does are personality develop? What do you think?

Twila Paris sang a song several years ago (we won't try to figure out how long ago it really was because that would probably be a little depressing) and the chorus says a lot.

"They don't know that I go running home when I fall down. They don't know who picks me up when no one is around. I drop my sword and cry for just a while, 'Cause deep inside this armor, The warrior is a child."

On call

I had signed up today for an extra eight hour shift. Eight hour shifts are wonderful and the bonus money is such a bonus!! So...they call me at 0450 to let me know that I am on call. Here I am, two and a half hours later, still awake. I was sleeping so well! I suppose that mommy will have to take a nap while the kids are at school today.

Yes, you read right...while the kids are at school today! Hallelujah, they are going back to school! That might sound bad, however, they have had a bit too much togetherness recently and are bickering like crazy. It's amazing how they have learned to push each other's buttons and know just how to irritate the other. Their recent tattling has about driven me nuts and no telling how many times I've said "Stop touching each other" or "You're not allowed to talk to each other or look at each other" which works so well (note the sarcasm). I do love my little rugrats!

It is supposed to be a balmy 36 degrees today and believe it or not that actually sounds warm! The sun is peeking it's little head out and showing us that it really does exist...thank goodness! Everyone, try to stay warm...this global warming is something, isn't it??

It's been awhile...

Wow! I haven't posted since Christmas Day. I'm not sure where all the time has gone and for some reason I haven't felt like I've had alot to say. Could be that I'm frozen...it is 2 degrees outside at the moment! Listen to me be positive about these arctic temperatures--the snow sure looks pretty at night. That's all I have to say about that!

I got an email tonight from my hubby's aunt and I LOVED it. Have to share it! It's from Zion's Hope and it has incredible meaning!

TEN TRUTHS FOR A TRIUMPHANT NEW YEAR

...from the Heart of Marv Rosenthal

10 THE CHRISTIAN IS CONTINUALLY CONFRONTED WITH GREAT OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARE BRILLIANTLY DISGUISED AS INSOLVABLE PROBLEMS.
In 2010 you will have problems. You can mark it down and count on it. Nobody enjoys problems, but our Lord permits problems to enter our lives. How we respond to them is the
critical issue. Problems are often the gateway to the greatest blessings. Therefore, view your problems as opportunities to reflect God’s glory.

9 OBSTACLES ARE THOSE FRIGHTFUL THINGS YOU SEE WHEN YOU TAKE YOUR EYES OFF GOD.
So don’t take your eyes off the Savior. Spend less time watching the news, biting your nails, and fretting over the direction of our country. Spend more time in God’s Word!

8 IT IS NEVER RIGHT TO DO WRONG TO DO RIGHT.
The end never justifies the means. Good intentions never justify wrong behavior. "When in Rome, do as the Romans do" is never acceptable behavior for the believer.

7 NO PROBLEM CAN WITHSTAND THE ASSAULT OF IMPASSIONED PRAYER.
There is great truth in the phrase that "prayer moves the heart that moves the world."

6 DIVINE SOVEREIGNTY DOES NOT NEGATE HUMAN RESPONSIBILITY.
You can’t steer a parked car. God does not lead Christians who stay home, fold their hands, and "wait for their ship to come in." God doesn’t always provide us with the proverbial handwriting on the wall. Step out in faith in accordance with biblical principles and the Lord will direct your paths.

5 YESTERDAY IS A CANCELLED CHECK; TOMORROW IS A PROMISSORY NOTE; TODAY IS THE ONLY CASH YOU HAVE – SO SPEND IT WISELY.
"Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest" (John 4:35). "Jesus, may I live every day for You with eternity’s values in view." This should be our daily prayer.

4 A BELIEVER'S MIND, ONCE STRETCHED BY A NEW TRUTH FROM GOD’S WORD, NEVER CONTRACTS TO ITS ORIGINAL DIMENSIONS.
We grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord. That means we must sometimes have the courage to let go of wrong concepts and embrace new ones. Sometimes saying "I was wrong" is a sign of strength. Only with a worldview that is garrisoned by God’s Word can we rightly understand where we came from, where we are heading, and how to live between those two points.

3 PROGRESS ALWAYS INVOLVES RISK. AS THE OLD BASEBALL SAYING GOES, "YOU CAN’T STEAL SECOND BASE WHILE KEEPING YOUR FOOT ON FIRST BASE."
All Christian advances require that men and women of faith dare to accomplish great things for God in harmony with His will for their lives.

2 JESUS CAME TO PAY A DEBT HE DID NOT OWE, BECAUSE WE OWED A DEBT WE COULD NOT PAY.
Salvation is all of grace – and the proper and acceptable response to grace is undying gratitude to God that should be evidenced in our daily lives through our attitudes and actions.

1 JESUS IS COMING AGAIN!
Whether it be by resurrection or rapture, Christ’s coming is the believer’s Blessed Hope. We just can’t lose. We are more than conquerors through Christ. So, enter the New Year triumphantly!

Christmas

Have a Merry Christmas!

Christmas Week

Life is busy, especially the week of Christmas. I'm sure that everyone feels like time is passing faster then they can keep up. I sure do!!

A friend of mine lost her father last week from a massive heart attack. It's always difficult to lose loved ones, especially when it was not expected. As she shared a little with me earlier today, I thought about what we take for granted and how we need to cherish the time we have now. It's so easy to get caught up in the hubbub of kid's games, piano lessons, school, and every other activity out there.

I love my family. I'm thankful that I have a job in this difficult time when so many are struggling without one. How fortunate I am that we are healthy and have a nice home that is safe and warm. Thank you Lord, for the blessings that you have poured out on me and my family.

FOOT ART?

I was sitting at the computer earlier this evening and looked over to see this:

Maybe this is a better angle!

Silly girl!!

Tasty Tuesday is TOO Yummy this week!!

Aunt Katy, Uncle Rick and I made homemade caramel popcorn and now I'm going to share this fabulously sinful recipe with the rest of you! Print it and make it! You'll love me and hate me for it all at the same time!! Guaranteed!!

**Fill a disposable turkey roasting pan with fresh-popped hot air popcorn. Add a handful or two of peanuts if desired**

Caramel Popcorn

2 cups brown sugar

1/2 cup white corn syrup

1 cup butter

1/4 tsp cream of tartar

1 tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda

Cook first five ingredients to hard ball stage (260 degrees). Stir constantly. Remove from heat. Stir in baking soda. Pour over popcorn. Mix well. (There were two of us with large spoons working hard to make sure all the popcorn was covered) Bake for one hour at 200 degrees...make sure you mix the popcorn every 15 minutes while baking. Pour out on wax paper. Break popcorn apart and let cool. Store in air tight container.

Eat and Enjoy!!

Family Jenga!

Our family has always been into games. Hubby and I try to set aside nights to play with the kids. Candyland, Chutes & Ladders, Sorry!, Jenga, Connect 4, Checkers...and the list goes on.

Bubby is concentrating while trying to set daddy up to fail!
Daddy's turn

Little Miss is the mouthy one...harassing everyone while talking about what a wonderful player she is.

I so didn't want to put this picture of myself...but here I am.

Little Miss says "Whoever loses has to give me some lovin'". I was the first to take it down and the second game Bubby lost. So she looks at him and says, "Give me some sugar!". And yes, he was grossed out at the thought of that!
My kids are silly!

I feel blessed!

What a relaxing day this has been! The whole family did nothing productive...and it was wonderful! How nice to not have to be anywhere, ignore the outside world, and just hang out together. All four of us laid down for naps (three of us took them...Little Miss has never been much on naps). Saturdays like this are, unfortunately, few and far between. I feel blessed!

ZOOM!!

ZOOOOOOOM!! That's how fast the time is going. Oh my goodness, it's only 16 days until Christmas and I'm so not ready. This year I get to work Christmas Eve, the weekend after Christmas, and New Year's Day (yes, I also got to work Thanksgiving). Notice how I say I "get" to...are you totally digging my positive attitude? I know I've said this before but I wish that I could push the pause button on life. Life just seems to keep going and somehow I seem to get left behind at times.

So, hubby and I were sitting on the sofa a little while ago, getting ready to put the kids to bed. Little Miss was playing on the computer and bubby was finishing up his bath. Out of the corner of my eye I see this little creature run past me and around the piano. Believe it or not, it wasn't the gerbils (still waiting to find out if we're going to have babies soon) but the guinea pig. Slick then darted behind the sofa and ran behind the Christmas Tree (which of course, is in the corner and hard to get behind) where he immediately dropped little guinea pig turds. Finally, we chased him down the hall and into bubby's bedroom where we eventually got him back into his cage. Why did I think that these little creatures were a good idea?? Remind me!!

Last week I went over to my aunt's house and we made peanut butter fudge and homemade caramel popcorn. TO DIE FOR!! I got some really cute little containers from dollar general (for $2) and filled them up with popcorn. With baggies full of fudge and little porcelain snowmen in tow we delivered teacher's presents already! Bubby's teacher is having a baby in nine days and I didn't want to not get it to her and have to eat her gift. I plan on posting the recipe next week for that popcorn and believe me, you'll want to try it!!

I work the next two days...have a glorious end of the week!