4295 Miles

My Youth pastor, Barry L, retired this year after 29 years of service in Athens, Georgia. How amazing is that. Almost as amazing is the fact that he is now biking across the country! Unbelievable!!! Check out his blog to follow him across the country. He began his journey last week. His wife Margaret is following him in the car. The photos are incredible!!!!!!!

Check it out here.

Obviously, the date on this photo is wrong. Check out those braces...

in one word...

This is a one word meme from my friend Laura. She and I went to high school together, and although we were friends, we never really knew that we had anything specific in common- and we might not have Then. We have recently reconnected via the almighty Facebook, and have realized that we have very similar interests. It has been so much fun reconnecting with her. You can meet her too... Check out her super fun blog!!!

And, Nikki, Kristina, Andrea, Amy, Susannah, Kimberly, Sharon, and Anna, consider yourselves tagged!



Where is your mobile phone? purse

Where is your significant other? basement

Your hair color? brown

Your mother? do-er

Your father? giver

Your favorite thing? kiddos

Your dream last night? nada

Your dream goal? happiness

The room you’re in? living room

Your hobby? one?

Your fear? rejection

Where do you want to be in 6 years? here

Where were you last night? home

What you’re not? compassionate

One of your wish-list items? grain mill

Where you grew up? Athens

The last thing you did? cook

What are you wearing? glasses

Your TV? tube

Your pets? crazy

Your computer? laptop

Your mood? drained

Missing someone? friends

Your car? mom

Something you’re not wearing? earrings

Favorite shop? Williams-Sonoma

Your summer? short

Love someone? yep

Your favorite color? can't

When is the last time you laughed? today

When is the last time you cried? clueless



In joy, Troye

Thankful Days

I am so thankful for my mom. I know this is true of all of us, but no person has influenced my life and who I am more than my mother. She led me to the Lord at a young age, and she mentored me to love Him with all my heart and serve others with intensity. She not only taught me these things, but she led by example!!! She nursed me when I was sick, disciplined me when I got off track, and loved me no matter how stupid I was when I was a teenager. She spoils my boys even when I ask her not to, and she loves them quite possibly even more than she loves me. She is the best Marmie in the world. You might see her running around Athens in her car with a Marmie personalized car tag, but you will have to look fast because she doesn't slow down. She works three jobs so that she can lavish the boys with gifts, and she tirelessly serves others in her daily life and through her church.

Today, my mom is having knee replacement surgery. She is so excited because she has been in pain for a long time. Please pray for her as she goes through the surgery today and recovery over the next few weeks.

I don't tell you enough, but I love you, Mama!!!!!

Day 7 on the Thankful Journey

Back to cliched thankfulness, but it is so true! I am so grateful for our home. This is the first house that we have ever lived in that I have enjoyed even more the longer we have lived in it. There are always things that I want to change and improve upon, but the Lord has blessed us beyond measure with this house.

My favorite things to do in this house is entertain, so if you are reading this post, consider this your invitation to come hang with us!!!!!

Today

I am in a somewhat reflective state of mind this afternoon, so as I ponder what I want post that I am thankful for, I am inclinded to post something serious again. Deep is great. Do not get me wrong. I am thinking of multiple serious things to post right now, but I promised to keep it light this morning, so I will save the more special things for later this month.

For Day 6 of the Thankful Blogging Challenge, I would like to proclaim my gratefulness for hair dye. I know that it will come to a shock to many of you that I have to color my hair at such a young age. I have actually colored my hair since I was 22 years old when my first few grays appeared, so I have had plenty of time to come to terms with those nasty critters. I have tried every box of color available at the drug store- and I only tiger striped my hair once. The Man even helps me color at home. I have also visited many salons in my day to have professional color- and there is definitely a difference!

I know that hair dyes contain many things that are probably bad for my body, but it is one of those things that falls into the I-am-vain-enough-not-to-care category!

So, here is to Lady Clairol and the entire hair dye industry. I salute you! Thank you Lord for giving them the insight to help me avoid growing old gracefully!!!

Of course Proverbs 16:31 says, "Gray hair is a mark of distinction, the award of a God-loyal life."
Is it okay for me to ask God to reward me in some other way? Plus aren't we suppossed to watch out for pride in our lives? Does anyone else see how my head full of gray could become a source of pride? I guess I will just have to be humble and keep reaching for that bottle!!!

Today is the 6th

I recently read a blog post about gratefulness that inspired me to TRY to post something that I am thankful for every day of the month of November. Coming up with things that I am thankful for will not be the issue, but posting every day during this crazy time of year might be.
Since today is already the 6th, I have some catching up to do. I invite you to join me, fellow blogger friends. Take a moment to add a quick thankfulness post with me today, or leave your grateful comment.

My first five things (and, yes, I am going to sound a bit cliche on some of these, but I want to express what I am genuinely thankful for):

1. The gorgeous fall colors that the Lord is painting for us right now. The leaves here in the south are at the peak of color change, and it is spectacular. This is my favorite time of year for many reasons, but the beauty of the earth at this point is one of those reasons. As I sit here with my laptop looking out over my back deck, I am filled with awe at the beauty of His creation.
2. My morning cup of joe. I love spending the quiet morning moments with the Lord and a cup of coffee- especially when The Man makes the coffee before he leaves for work. There is nothing better than coming down the stairs and experiencing the aroma of fresh brewed java hitting you in the face. I'm euphoric just thinking about it.
3. While I'm at it, let me add The Man to my list! I am so thankful for my wonderful husband who loves me even when I'm a little bit crazy, who is the most fantastic father to our boys, who works all day and still comes home to work around the house, who serves the Lord in leadership at our church, and is the perfect man for me!!! LU, Babe!
4. I hate that this one is now number four, but I also need to give a shout out to my heavenly Father. I am so thankful for His unfailing love and provision in my life, and the fact that He sits on the throne no matter what is going on in my world and wraps me in His loving arms every time I fall.
5. My sweet, precious boys! I must say that it is so much easier to type that while they are still in the bed, because in about half an hour, the words sweet and precious might not be the adjectives that I would use. I am so blessed to be able to parent them and love them. I was talking to a new mommy yesterday (my friend, Anna, who had her sweet boy, Dylan, on my birthday last week) about those early feelings of motherhood where you feel overwhelmed that the Lord would even entrust these little boogers to you. I remember nursing J and thinking what did I do to deserve this blessing in my life? And now, there are some days that I just think... What did I do to deserve this? Just kidding, boys!!!

So, that gets me through yesterday. Now that I have that done, I think the most difficult thing about this challenge will be narrowing it down to the things that I am most grateful for without being overly cliche. I promise to add some random, fun things to the list as well- just to keep all three of you reading. :)

Mourning Munson

I must say that it is a sad time in College Football. A Legend has retired. No not Bobby Bowden- will that ever happen?

Larry Munson, the voice of your Georgia Bulldogs, has retired at age 82.

UGA home games will not be the same without your voice ringing through my headphones as we sit in Sanford Stadium. "Get the picture."

You will be missed more than you could know, Larry. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Labor Days...

Shannon over at Rocks in My Dryer started this meme, and if you are reading it, consider yourself tagged!
In honor of Labor Day, it's about...well, labor. And not the kind you get a day off for, either.

How long were your labors?
Kid #1, 21 hours.
Kid #2, 6 hours

I highly reccomend the 2nd version!!!!

How did you know you were in labor?
Kid #1, 6 hours of do-anything-to-get-comfortable, irregular contractions until your husband forces you to go to the hospital.
Kid #2, Visit the doc,and he says, "Go straight to the hospital. You are in labor."

Again, I recommend the 2nd method.

Where did you deliver?
At a hospital. Where the drugs are!!!!!!

Drugs?
Absolutely! 100% Actually, I went about 17 hours the first time sans drugs until my mom talked me into an epidural "so that I could rest." Yeah right! Then with the second, I asked for the epidural at 7 months. I told the doc that I would just wheel around in a wheel chair for a couple of months. Sadly he did not go for that, and there was a moment after almost two hours of waiting for the anesthsiologist that the devil in me came out and looked at The Man and said in a very evil, scary voice, "Go find the anesthesiologist and bring him here... NOW!"

C-section?
Nope

Who delivered?
Doctors. Two different docs who could not have been more different and whom I loved both dearly!!!!

If you want to play along with this meme, just cut and paste the questions into your own blog, and leave your link on Shannon's page.

It's a good thing I straightened my hair this morning, huh? We don't even know how to act with rain in Atlanta. Thank you, Fay!!! Maybe I shouldn't stand at the bus stop without an umbrella.

For those of you who don't get a chance to read Shannon's blog, Rocks in My Dryer, you need to read this post this morning. She actually pulled it out of the archives, but it is definitely worth a visit! I love all of you mommys (stay at home or work 2 jobs). You all are a blessing, and you make a difference!
Great Things

Identity Crisis

Andrea and I started our quilting class today. I'm not making fun of us or anything, but the name of the shop that we go to is Betty Sue's Quilt Shop. It just sounds like a place for blue hairs to flock. I'm still not sure if I am smart enough or detailed enough to quilt, but I am giving it a go. Here is my first quasi-block. It is not fully stitched together yet, and nevermind the fact that Betty Sue did all of the cutting and piecing together.

BUT, just to make me feel better, when we went out to dinner tonight for book club, I got carded. Of course I was all too happy to pull my ID out for the cute little young waitress to show her that I was 29 years old. :) Everyone needs a little balance in their life.

Summertime Fun!

Summertime 2008

Since SOME of you have been getting on to me for not posting, I decided to tide you over with a summer video montage. We have pooled, vacationed, lazed around in pjs, picked strawberries and museumed with the best. School starts back in a week, so it is time to get back in the groove. It's been a superwondermous summer. I can't wait for school to start!!!!!

Visual DNA

This was a fun little personality profile. You choose photos that most describe you. It did not hit my personality dead on, but there were parts that are definitely accurate. What do you think?

Field Day and Last Day of School

I can't believe that Jonah is officially out of preschool. He made it, and it seems that his teachers survived as well. Of course there is an unwritten rule that all schools must cram as many activities into the last few weeks of school as possible, so here are some photos of field day and Jonah's graduation picnic...

I'm not sure what this little girl's name is, but I had to include her because she wore a tiara the entire field day. Because what field day ensemble is complete without my tiara?

There were Dizzy Bat Derbys...

Amazing displays of balance...

And even potato sack (or in this case, pillow case) relays...

Here is Jonah with his teacher, Ms. Holland on the last day of preschool. We had a wonderful year. Great job big boy!

Seven Things...Seriously?

I'm not that interesting. Andrea over at Braun Family Circus tagged me for a meme, and apparantly she thinks that I am interesting enough to share seven little known facts about myself. Here is my best attempt:

1. I have a phobia of elbows. I hate them. They are gross. They are usually dry, dirty, and nasty. I don't want them to touch me in any way, shape, or form, and if I do accidentally come into contact with someone else's elbow, I have to wipe my skin off. Is that a weird enough start?



2. I have always wanted a pair of red cowboy boots. I don't know why. I don't live anywhere near Texas. No matter how out of style they may be, I want to wear them with a short denim skirt. I wouldn't mind a cute cowboy hat either, but not at the same time. I tried some very loud black and red ones on one time with Nikki, and she swore that she would not be seen with me if I purchased them. Sorry, Nikki...One day I will own a pair. I just can't help myself.



3. When I was in Kindergarten, I was such a perfectionist that I wrote a lowercase "a" on my paper, and my teacher thought that I left the top of it open, and that it was a lowercase "u." I was so distraught that I got a 99% instead of a 100% that I cried and argued the grade. Wow! I was such a nerd. And, now I'm boring enough that I still remember it and am obviously scarred for life. This really is awful. I apologize to anyone who is still reading.



4. I made the cheerleading squad my freshman year in high school. I quickly learned that getting along with seven other females in a forced environment was not my forte. I know that this will come as a shocker to those of you who know me well, but I can be a bit bossy. I ended up punching a girl on my squad in the face during a football game. I didn't try out the next year. I only ever punched a person in the face one other time in my life. I will leave that one up to the imagination.



5. On our honeymoon, Chris and I ended up on a charter bus to get from the airport to our hotel in Miami. We were the only people besides the driver on the bus. We don't need no stinking taxi. I warned you that this wasn't worth reading.



6. When I was a little girl, I wanted to be a hair stylist, a teacher, an American Sign Language interpreter, and Wonder Woman. I think there may have been a brief aspiration to be Princess Lea too until I realized that the underoos I had were not her "real" outfit.



7. To anyone who knows me, this is not a little known fact, but I am completely out of ideas. I could subsist on chips and salsa and popcorn if I knew that they weren't both horrible for me in excess. If I were ever stranded on an island, those would definitely be the two food items that I would request. My favorite salsas are homemade tomato salsa (recipe adapted from Andrea Braun) and Chili's salsa. Mmmmmmm. My current favorite popcorn is home popped in olive oil on the stovetop.

Here is who I tag to keep this meme going...

1. Kristina Sanford (so that she will actually post something on her blog)
2. My new friend, Jen
3. An old friend, Melanie Crozier (Melanie's not old. I've just known her for a while).
4. (and 5) The two smartest people I know, Nikki and Beth. I've only officially met Beth once, but I am nervous about tagging her because it means that she might actually read my blog, and that is just intimidating.

6. (and 7.) One of my favorite people that I never get to see and her son, Walker, Christy.

Chronicles of Narnia

I know that many of you have never wondered what order to read the Chronicles of Narnia in because there are deceptive little numbers on the spine of most copies now that would lead you to read them in a particular order. Do not be swayed!!!

I asked my best friend, Nikki to write on guest post on the correct order of Lewis' beloved children's series because she could do it so much more eloquently than I. Her post follows...

In honor of the upcoming release of The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, I have the honor of typing a guest blurb on "A Day in the Life." I was asked because I love the Chronicles. I was also asked because the order in which they should be read is one of my favorite soapboxes. I have what can only be call "strong" feelings about it. The original order in which the Chronicles were written is as follows:The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (L,W,&W)Prince Caspian (PC)Voyage of the Dawn Treader (V of the DT)The Silver Chair (SC)The Horse and His Boy (H & HB)The Magician's Nephew (MN)The Last Battle (LB)When you buy the books now, be it in a boxed set or as one large volume, the Magician's Nephew is the first book, followed by L,W,&W, then H & HB, PC, V of the DT, the SC, and the LB. This is not the best way to read these books, and there are a bunch of other bibliophiles with too much time on their hands who agree with me! C.S. Lewis did indeed at one point consider that a more "chronological" order (the new order) might be a better way to go. He however, never made any move to change them and finally decided that they should remain as they were. He wrote them in the original order, and the narrative was built on those lines. So much of the wonder of Narnia comes from the way in which the reader is slowly introduced to it in L,W,&W. The wardrobe and where it leads create a strong sense of mystery; you are intrigued and mystified by what lies inside. In MN, the word Narnia is stated almost immediately. There is no enigma, and there is an assumption of information. As a late sequel to L,W,&W, this is appropriate. As your very first introduction to Narnia itself, this is less than engaging. TThe texts themselves show that L,W,&W comes first with quotes such as "None of the children knew who Aslan was, any more than you do." If you're reading L,W,&W second, well of course you know who Aslan is. There are so many ideas, themes, and moments of character development that occur naturally in the original order of the Chronicles. Some of that is lost in the new order, and much of the magic is diminished.I strongly encourage you to read the books that have been a delight to me since I was in 7th grade. I have perused their pages many times and have always come away more enthralled and with an even greater sense of wonder. Go forth, read, and enjoy them yourself! Just do so in the best possible order!

So there you have it. Drop by your local bookstore or library today, and dive into the adventure. I assure you, you will not regret it!

Is it worth being friends with the nursery coordinator?

Have you ever noticed that when you pick your children up from the nursery at church, they always tell you that your children were good? Hmmm. I know my children. Am I living in a fantasy world to think that they possibly act better for someone else than they do for me?

Let me explain. My children were both screamers as babies. Some call it "colic," I call it "my boys screamed their bloody heads off until they were nine months old." Yet, I would always pick them up from the nursery at church- I went to every service offered, by the way, because that was my only break from feeling like I was going to throw them out of the window- just kidding (about going to every service, that is; not about wanting to throw them out of the window)- and they would tell me, "Oh he has been fine, he just started screaming like this," as she yells over my child who sounds like he should be in some excorcism type thriller film. I was blessed with this not once, but twice. But, I digress. My point is, I chose to believe that maybe they hadn't screamed the entire service and they had just started up, as they felt my presence approach the nursery. Not that I would have wanted them to call me out of the service to handle it anyway. This was the only break I got.

Was I fooling myself? I'll never know because we have moved since then, so there is no one to fess up...

But, now I am friends with the nursery coordinator, so I get to hear about the wonderful children that I have. You know this is going somewhere specific, don't you?

This past week, Daniel really wanted to go in Jonah's classroom to play with his older brother and his friends. When we told him no, he pitched the fit of all fits (okay every fit that is in front of other human beings is the fit of all fits, but this one was really bad). At that point of course, we had to follow through, and make Daniel go in his own classroom. He got to play with Mr. Cool Guy (his name has been changed to protect the innocent), who is Jonah's favorite teacher- apparantly, Jonah forgot to inform his little brother. Daniel goes into the classroom throwing toys and screaming, and Chris and I turn around and walk very quickly to the service without looking back, so that they wouldn't stop us.

When Chris picked Daniel up, Mr. Cool Guy said that he had pretty much screamed the entire time. I mean Daniel, not Mr. Cool Guy. Of course I am sure that Mr. Cool Guy went home and screamed for at least an hour. I'm sorry Katina that we are wiping your nursery workers out one by one.

Then, when I went by Katina's (nursery coordinator, if you haven't figured that out by now) house Monday morning, she let me know that not only had Daniel screamed the entire service but also that he had decorated his classroom wall with red crayon. LOVELY!!!!!

Here was Mr. Cool Guy's response to Katina about helping in the nursery this upcoming Easter morning:

"Sorry Kristina… I’ll be in AL.
But I did help decorate for the service… Daniel and I… little red celebration on the wall… it was the least I could do…
Cool dude"

Katina, he's going to Alabama. I would not expect him back any time soon. We have that effect on people. Sorry I can't fill in for him.

I wonder if I can sneak in there with a magic eraser before Easter?

Unclean! Unclean!

Stay away from our house. The funk has descended, and we can't shake it.

You know it's bad when this is your four year old at the dinner table. And notice the box of tissues on the table as well. Mmmmmmm.....

And, yes, he is asleep.

My other clue that things are not right in my household...

I haven't had to lock the pantry all weekend. Unheard of!!!

Happy 2008!!!

Wow! What a year! I love the new year. It is a time of reflection and new beginings, and we get a new calendar. I love sitting down to write everyone's birthdates in my new calendar each year. I'm not sure why, but it probably has something to do with being able to sit down all at one time and reflect on everyone that is important in my life. If you are reading this post, you are most likely in my calendar, and have a special place in my heart whether I am able to see you on a daily basis or I just send a Birthday card each year.

To keep it short and simple, I just want to say that I appreciate each of you in my life (all three of you who read my blog), and I can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for us as we journey together in 2008. Love to you all!!!