Lost

Nope, not the show.

My mind.

I've gone and lost it.

It's probably buried under the eight inches of snow and ice outside my door.

Or maybe one of my children took it from me while the other two were distracting me by driving me absolutely freakin' crazy!

Or maybe my husband took it to use on his World of Warcraft game that he has been playing nonstop since last Friday night. Did I mention he has been off of work also, being a teacher and getting to have snow days with the kids? Yeeaaahhh, isn't that just great?

Anyway, if you find it (my mind, that is), just hold onto for me. Until Monday. When they all go back to school, I can get back to the gym and maybe, just maybe, I'll be able to NOT lose it for awhile.

Thanks.

Ice, Ice Baby

Perfect theme song for the Midwest right now.

Snow, ice, freezing rain, more snow.

Level 2 and 3 Winter Emergencies declared throughout the area.

Schools closed for the second day in a row, most likely again on Thursday.

Over 15,000 people without power. Not us, at the moment.

So, what do you do with a houseful of people on yet another snow day?

You send the hubby out with the kids, take a few pictures, then snuggle up with your laptop and a steaming cup of coffee.

Until it's time to get ready for work. Then you shower, get dressed, fix your hair, and say a multitude of prayers that you make the 30 mile drive down to the hospital in less than two hours...

Joe was fixing to throw this at me, until I ducked inside the house.

I am loving this orange coat in the snow. I'll have to remember that when we go to buy another coat (this boy is growing so fast, he'll be out of this one by next winter, for sure).

Isabel took Gabe "exploring", Laura-Ingalls-style, in the patch of woods behind our house. I'm not really sure what good the blanket is going to do, but you just don't mess with a girls' imagination...

All night long, you could hear the ping-ping of iceballs hitting the windows.

Then, this morning, the crackling of ice-coated branches in the wind.

Picturesque, for sure.

Anyone ready for s'mores? Let me clear off the firepit first.

I'm pretty sure we have at least seven or eight inches of snow/ice/snow out there, and it's not done yet (as of 11 am Wednesday).

I was worried that the gifts from Santa (sleds, snowsuits, snowboots) weren't going to be put to use this year.

Worry no more.

Now, I've gotta go do some more laundry. The bain of my existence. Hope y'all are safe, warm, and have electricity.

Ice, ice baby.

TGFD

What's that?

You have no idea what those letters on the title stand for?

Any guesses?

Okay, I'll just tell you.

After a (rough) day of running on my hamster wheel that never stops (you know the one, right? the one where you make breakfast, pack lunches, do the dishes, clean up the house, workout, make lunch, take kids to preschool, go to the grocery, unpack said groceries, cook dinner, help with homework, enforce bathtime and bedtimes, go to bed, sometimes go to work in the middle of all that, then wake up the next day and do it again...that wheel).

Well, after one of those days, just as I was ready to sit down and read a magazine or blog or something non-kid related, Isabel says to me: "Hey, Mom. Wanna do each other's hair and makeup? We haven't done that in a really long time...".

You know I didn't really want to do hair and makeup. But I hid my reaction well, put a smile on my face and said "sure".

I am so glad I did.

I forgot how much fun it is to just spend girl time with Isabel. She is such a girly-girl; she has a great sense of style (better than mine sometimes, I swear); she always makes her hair look just right; and she can apply makeup like a pro.

We cranked up the party tunes on the cable music station. She did my hair, then I did hers. She did my makeup, then after I did hers, we did a little photo shoot. I took the pictures, she posed. What a beauty (although Joe was opposed to the lipstick color and Elijah thought the braids looked 'dorky'; what do boys know about this stuff, anyway?). She ended up liking her hair so much, I have fixed it this way every day since then.

(Pippy, anyone?)



And that is why I Thank God For Daughters. Especially this one. She is truly heaven-sent.

Snow day, a makeover and answers to prayer

First off, a big thank you to everyone praying on Kat's behalf. Michael is still in the hospital but improving; Lizzy has been updating Kat's blog...go leave her some comment love and let her know you're thinking of her. She appreciates every single prayer and comment you've sent her way.

Second, please say a prayer for me and/or my children that we survive these next two or three snow days together. Oh, yeah, and Joe, too. Who remains in bed. Who I'm sure will be playing on his computer the rest of the day, while I do laundry, cook, clean, and care for our kiddos. Sorry, sound bitter? Maybe 'cause I'm tired. And I need a break. And I want some uninterrupted computer time like other people get.

Wow, I feel better now.

On to more pleasant things...

Nothing makes a kid happier than a few inches of snow, no school and a sledride with friends.



Oh, except for an extreme room makeover for your birthday, huh, Isabel?

I love Basic Grey scrapbook paper; I covered these wooden letters with some "LilyKate" paper, ribbons, and charms and hung them on her wall with sticky foam. Easy peasy, and all for under $10. Gotta love that!

Joe did the painting, the chair-rail, and the bookshelves. He is a handyman, for sure.

That pile in the corner is awaiting placement on shelves from Ikea and a new drawing desk. Have I mentioned what a budding artist Isabel is?

While we're blogging, would you also lift Lula up today? She is suffering from the mother of all migraines, and could use some prayers. Thanks.

An Update

Lizzy went to Atlanta yesterday to be with Kat and her family (the power of a blog-friend, people, I'm telling you!).

Michael is out of surgery, but not out of the woods yet.

Please continue to lift Kat and Michael up with your prayers.

Seriously, you all are the best. Already God is working with those prayers sent His way yesterday, and will continue to do so; of this, I am sure.

Please pray...

for Kat's husband, who is in surgery right now at Emory hospital after suffering an aneurysm last night. She called Lizzy, who in turn requested prayer for this sweet blogger friend of ours and her family.

Let's get on our knees right now on their behalf.

Pray. Please pray.

Gran Torino

***Pause my musicplayer at the bottom before watching video***

Okay, normally I don't put any sort of videos on my blog.

This movie trailer is worth the exception.

Whether you're a fan of Clint Eastwood or not, this is the movie to see this year.

My sister, Rhonda, warned me to bring tissues to the theater. You see, not only will he make you cry tears of laughter, he'll also make you sob to the point of a headache. And what makes it even more bittersweet for us is that the main guy, Walt, is so much like our dad. Not in the kick-ass way seen in the previews, but in the little mannerisms and attitude that comprise his character. I haven't cried this hard at a movie since, well, I don't know when. (Joe even cried, if that tells you anything...)

I have warned my mom to stay away from this movie until it comes out on DVD. She will be a soggy puddle of a woman by the end, missing my dad like crazy and wishing he were still alive to see it with her. Clint Eastwood was one of their favorite actors, and I doubt they missed even one of his movies.

A big thanks to Kay for watching the kiddos while we went to see the show. And one to Rhonda for the tissue warning.

Now, go see it. And come back and tell me what you thought...

He's Baaaack...

Okay, that title reminds me more of Poltergeist than of E.T. (how can you forget little CarolAnne in front of the snowy TV screen, uttering those eerie words 'they're heeeere'?), but I couldn't resist.

E.T. has been in my life since I was nine years old. One of my favorite gifts at my tenth birthday was my E.T. shirt with purple sleeves. My dad gave me this lifesize E.T. before he died, and a little one, too.

Elijah and Isabel have always been a bit afraid of him; Gabe, clearly not. This past Sunday, we had to take mini-E.T. to church with us. Who knew how well he could belt out "Amazing Grace"?

Not really. But I'm sure he would if he could.

While mini-E.T. got to take a road trip to the Methodist Church with the whole fam-damily, big E.T. was left to his own devices back at home.

Rock Band, anyone?

I'm pretty sure I heard the last refrain of Neil Diamond's "Turn on your Heartlight" playing as we walked in the door...

Goals...

I have always been a person who needs to make goals. Set a goal, make a plan, then do it. Truly, that just makes me happy. It doesn't have to be January, month of the resolutions. It doesn't have to be a huge goal (pay off all debt); or life-changing (bible study); really, it could be something as simple as redecorate Isabel's room (it's almost done; pictures to come!).

Right this minute, I have two goals that I am very excited about. Starting tomorrow, I am doing a Beth Moore bible study (my third) with my church group.
These studies are intense and require a lot of individual participation (homework), but they are really worth it. My first bible study ever was in January of 2005, the month my dad was diagnosed with lung cancer. God's timing couldn't have been better; at a time when I was losing my father, I was able to grow in my relationship with Our Father. Yes, it was a terrible, difficult time; but I came through the other side with a stronger faith and a better attitude about living. If you're ever offered the opportunity to be a part of one of these studies, I say: do it. You won't regret it.

Another goal of mine, and one I never thought I would even want to do: run in a race. I have never been a runner, never even liked running at all. But now that I am in pretty decent physical shape, I find myself believing that maybe I can be a runner, after all.

My hospital is sponsoring a race at the end of March, and a group of us from the ICU's are making a team. One sweet co-worker was trying to convince me to run the 15K, but I think I'm gonna stick with the 5K for my first race ever. Jeez, I wanna live through it, know what I mean?

Now, in the spirit of Kat and Lizzy, I'm gonna ask: have you ever done a Beth Moore study? If so, which one(s)? Have you ever run in a race? Did you finish? How long was the race? Did you watch Lost last night? Have you checked out our new blog, Sussing Out Lost?

Project 365: An Update

Here it is, January 21st, and I am still going strong on my Project 365. I have my album organized, all the coordinating paper and embellishments in one box, my camera fully charged and my journal accessible at all times. So far, so good.

I bought a 12x12 3-ring scrapbook, with 4 packs of refills (2 12x12, 2 with 4x6 dividers):

My intro page:

The first week. Journaling cards on the left (one for each day of the week, one for Sat/Sun), which match up with the photos on the right. You can put anything you want in there, it's your album. I included some memorabilia from my (4th) viewing of Twilight, and a movie card from a friend. Photos of this project, my calendar, packing school lunches, the cards I made for my blog give-away, and one of my new 'do comprise my first week. Becky Higgins has some great ideas on her personal blog, as well.

An important thing for me is that my album flows from one week to the next. Although the pictures will be very different, the paper and accents will coordinate. I loved this pack of buttons I found that match my K&Co Wild Saffron paper.

After some experimenting, I have found a method that works for me. I journal everyday in my little book. Nothing too detailed (usually), just a summary of each part of my day. I take a photo everyday, and write in my journal what photo I took for that day. One or two evenings a week, I print out the photos and put them in the dividers, then write my journal cards for those days.

A peek into my everyday life. A little boring at times, for the most part, but I think it will be really neat to see years from now. For me, my kids, and hopefully someday my grandkids. I would love to see something like this written from my grandmother's point of view...

Tag, I'm it!

So tired.

Still recovering from my long shift Sunday night, followed by minimal sleep on Monday morning, followed by dentist appointments (which went fine, Gabe did great, no cavities, thanks for asking), followed by running errands and not returning home 'til 7pm with a huge headache...

Wasn't going to post today, but Matt from My Side of the Story, who is married to Becky from the Wife o Riley, who was first friends with my sister, Michelle, from Tales from the Lunchroom, and now is my friend, too...

Where was I?

Oh, yeah, Matt tagged me with the ole "4th photo from your 4th folder" tag. So here it is:

This was from 2007. Morgan, Michelle's youngest, and Elijah, my oldest, playing a little Guitar Hero down in my basement. Look at that stringbean of mine in his underarmor. Jeez, I need to put some meat on that boy!

Okay, now I need to go rest. I'm gonna be a slacker, and not tag anyone specifically. If you're looking for a post idea, take this and run with it...

Three-day Weekend

I remember looking forward to three-day weekends as a kid, especially as a teenager.

Man, those days are so over.

Now it seems as if we try to pack as much as we can into those three days. By Tuesday, I'm going to have to spend a whole day doing a bunch of nothing to recover!

Our weekend started out with bellyaches and drama. Actually, Isabel started it off last Monday, and it continued on and off through Friday. Only the threat of no Disney convinced her to suck it up and go back to school.


Speaking of Disney, we have had a lot of fun with the planning stage of the trip. We sit together and look at the travel books I borrowed from the library, discussing our resort and the parks and the rides each of us wants to ride first/most/least. I love this part of a vacation (OCD much?).

Always, laundry.

Thursday evenings, practice. Saturday mornings/afternoons, games. Elijah is playing Upward basketball for his second season, and the games are so fun to watch (way better than NBA). For those of you who may not know, Upward is a Christian sport association which focuses on teaching kids a sport in a Christ-like atmosphere, emphasizing prayer and sportsmanship on and off the court. Love it!

After recovering from the yucks, we started on Isabel's Extreme Room Makeover (a belated birthday gift). Oh, just wait 'til you see the finished product... Here she is before the painting begins. Isabel's room was the first one I decorated after building our house seven years ago. She was two, and I had so much fun painting that little picket fence, then finding the picket fence bunkbeds to match, along with a little bench and butterfly stencils. Now she has an actual opinion on what she wants (bummer).

Sunday morning. Joe is off early to teach Sunday School in his Dad's class. I stay home to prepare...

for my sixteen-hour shift at the hospital. Haven't pulled one of these in quite awhile. Lots of coffee, a chocolate cake, and hopefully some downtime with co-workers during the wee hours of the night/morning...I'll be fine. Unless it snows, like the weatherman keeps threatening. Did you know I only work two days/nights a week? Did you know it only snows on the days I work, forcing me to drive a stressful thirty miles in the stuff? One more Murphy's Law to add to the books.

Then, after catching a few quick hours of catch-up sleep in the morning, we'll be off to the dentist for all three kids. Gabe has never let them clean his teeth yet. One more benefit of Disney vacations: the opportunity for bribery. Disney World does not allow kids with dirty teeth in the parks, did you know? Elijah and Isabel love our dentist, and I'm hoping this will rub off on Gabe. I'll let you know how that works out...

Oh, I'm so ready for Tuesday.

Jealousy.

In every relationship, there comes a time when Jealousy rears its ugly head.

You're Jealous of your co-worker's promotion and hefty raise.

You're Jealous of your brother's new wife (with her perfect 36-24-36 figure).

You're Jealous of your husband's ability to buy a brand new computer at the drop of a hat because his mother-board caught on fire when a certain un-named preschooler fell into it during a wrestling match.

You're Jealous when your best friend announces her plans to go to freakin' Mexico (without you) while you're trying to figure out how to stay warm in the godforsaken twenty-degrees-below-zero weather that's headed your way.

Really, Becky, I'm happy for you.

I am.

Seriously.

Blog Bible Study, Jan 15th

I used to worry and have nightmares about tornadoes as a kid. Ever since being scarred by The Wizard of Oz, those "tornado dreams" had the power to strike me breathless, waking up terrified and alone in my room. Yet when, at the age of 16, a tornado hit my hometown and destroyed my house, not one of us were injured.

There were so many things to worry about when I was a teenager. Who would I eat lunch with? Did he/she really like me? What college was I going to go to? What career should I choose?

Then I graduated nursing school, and more worries arose. Would I make enough money to support myself? Did I choose the right career? Would I ever meet Mr. Right?

Fast forward (a few) years. Now I am a wife, a mother, still a nurse, a daughter, a sister, a friend. I am responsible for lives on a daily basis. Those of my children, my patients, even the other drivers on the road when I am drowsily driving home after a long shift. My worries are far greater now than they were when I was younger, yet I am able to handle them with a calm assurance that transcends my abilities.

How? Well, I'm glad you asked. (Okay, you didn't ask, I did, but maybe you were thinking it...)

After Elijah was born, I invited Jesus Christ into my heart and life. Believe me, before I became a Christian, that particular sentence would've caused me to close out this blog post right now, and not read any further. Anything to do with religion, or Jesus, or church gave me an uncomfortable feeling inside. Couldn't put my finger on it, just didn't want to talk about it. That "feeling" was Jesus knocking on the door of my heart, begging me to let him in. I fought him for many years, but at the age of 24, I finally "let go and let God", as Lula would say.

It took me a few more years before I found a great church that helped me grow in my relationship with God, through bible studies, a great pastor, and wonderful friends who showed me what it meant to be a Christian. I am still growing in my faith every day, and some days are better than others. I'm sure yesterday God was shaking His head at me, wanting to give me a timeout for the words that were coming out of my mouth and the poor attitude I carried with me all day.

There are so many ways to live out a Christian life. Not one is "better" than another, just different. No, you don't have to go to church, but it sure helps to find one that you love going to, surrounding yourself with things and people of the Lord. Music, books, websites, even blogs.

When Betty invited me to become a part of the blog bible study, I readily accepted. What a great use of my blogspace! You never know who you might affect with your words, helping someone have a better day, helping them understand Jesus a little more.

My verse for today is one I carry with me everyday. I not only read and memorize it, I live it. Here goes:

"Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?...Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:27,34

I like the way my NIV bible explains this verse: "Planning for tomorrow is time well spent; worrying about tomorrow is time wasted. Careful planning is thinking ahead about goals, steps and schedules, and trusting in God's guidance. Planning can alleviate worry. Worriers, by contrast, are consumed by fear and find it difficult to trust God. They let their plans interfere with their relationship with God."

This is not to say I never worry; I do. But I can honestly say that after praying about my worries, I can give them over to God and trust in His plan. What on earth am I going to be able to change by worrying? Nothing. Now planning, on the other hand; folks, I was meant to plan. Nothing like a Disney vacation to bust out the planner in me!

Not every verse in the Bible will speak to your heart. But if you open your eyes, your mind and your soul, and let God in, I promise, you will hear Him.

(Now stop worrying about those bills, and start making a plan of how to pay them!)

So I know a few posts ago, I was all "I don't like passing on awards with a bunch of rules". And really, I'm not. But when the Wife of Riley gave me and Michelle this award, I was so honored, and I just had to post it. No, it's not the official Best Blog award from Blogger, or any other website. But it's from a friend, and that makes it even better!



Thanks, Becky, for the morale-boosting award. Really, I'm honored and it totally made my day!

So, without further ado (I've always wanted to say that), I present this award to my favorite three blogs. Ones I check everyday. Ones that make me laugh. And sometimes cry. Blogs that I love, and that I consider the "best". I would give it to my sister first, since we're related and all, but Becky already gave it to her, and really, she already knows I think she's the best.

Wow, I'm really rambling.

Seriously, here goes. The award goes to:

Becky, from In the Trenches. Yes, she's my best friend, and I'm the one that got her hooked, and I'm a little biased. But it's my blog, and I can do what I want here. So there.

Lula, from Lulaville. As awesome in real life as she is on her blog. I love this girl.

Betty, from Keeper of the Skies. Someday we are going to meet and do a swap in real life. Betty is truly an inspiration to me, and gives me hope that I will survive my kids' childhood in one piece (and maybe even look that good!).

So, go on girls, come get your award and pass it along. Or keep it all to yourselves. Whatever. 'Cause now it's your blog award, and you can do what you want (where else in our lives can we do that, really?).

Congratulations!

Guest blogger: Heeeere's Joe!

I was more than a little nervous about taking part in this debacle. I wasn't even sure if he would do it. But do it he did (and that's what she said), and while he doesn't know the correct names of all my blogger friends, he does care enough to please his wife. (Oh, and I helped with the links.)

So, in true guest blogger fashion, heeere's Joe:




Hello Blogging Community!! Heather has enjoyed voicing herself on this blogspot, and now i suppose its my turn. She has certainly met some interesting people on this site.

Tattooed Biker Mom ----> Wild!! Artisan of the F-Bomb.
Lula ----> A visit was necessary. And the phone conversations, lengthy :)

And many others, especially friends and family locally that have jumped on the blogging bandwagon.

I think its especially neat some of the exchanges that have happened across countries. Amazing!

Not Me, Monday!

Not being a Catholic, I don't get the chance to go to Confession on Sundays (do they still do that, or is that just in the movies?).

I think this is the reason why I like "Not Me, Mondays"...confession is good for the soul. So here comes some soul-cleansing, blog-style:

I did not put off doing this post until after my shift at the hospital last night, just in case I had something to confess about from my job (not necessary).

I am not putting off cleaning out my cabinets (see below) and organizing all of the kids' school papers. I am way too organized for that!

I was not so crabby yesterday after church that I couldn't wait to just go to work and be away from my sweet family. Nope, not me.

I am not so tired this morning that every little thing my children are doing is getting on my nerves.

I did not call my sister and bitch all the way down the interstate, about anything and everything. And God love her, she did listen to me the whole time (or at least pretended to; thanks, Michelle).

I am not PMS'ing.

Oh, I'm sure I could think of a thousand other things, but really, I feel better now, so I'll quit while I'm ahead. Now I'm gonna go suck down some Jamaican coffee and pack the lunches and fix the breakfasts and get started on my day. Maybe I should pray first...

Dear Elijah

*Warning: Sentimental post with accompanying song ahead. When I listened to the words of this Randy Travis song, I was practically bawling... You know me, Elijah, I am a sap!


Dear Elijah,

I have been wanting to tell you something all day, but time got away from me and now you're sound asleep after a grueling basketball practice. I know you read my blog when I'm not looking sometimes, and I hope you read it today.

I read somewhere that one of the best things you can do for your children is to let them overhear you praising them to someone else.

As you know, I have a lot of great blog friends. And right now, I am singing your praises to them, all over the blogosphere.

I know Gabe gets a lot of attention and air-time on my blog. You have to admit, he's a pretty funny kid who says a lot of blog-worthy things. And Isabel just recently had a birthday, so she got her time in the proverbial limelight as well.

Now it's your turn, buddy.

Today, when you were home on a two-hour delay, do you know how you made my heart swell with pride when you deliberately sought out your baby brother to play with you? And again, when Gabe said something funny and you looked over at me so we could share the joke? You have been such a great big brother lately, and it does a mom good to see her kids love each other like that.

You amaze me in so many ways. Your ability to kick my you-know-what on the guitar (on the hardest level) when we play Rock Band. Your athletic abilities in every sport you play (hello, a left-handed Little League pitcher is a hot commodity!). Your knowledge of football that goes beyond even what your dad knows. Your unfailing love and support of me, even when I have sent you to your room in a fit of anger.

Elijah, I love you so much. You were my first, my "experiment". If you see me doing things differently with your younger brother and sister, it's because I have found a better way in my (old) age. Thanks for being such a great kid. I love spending time with you, even if it's just being alone for a few minutes on the way to and from basketball practice somedays.

You are growing up to be an amazing young man, I can see it a little more everyday. I hope you realize just how very much you mean to me.

Now, stop playing that video game and come help me with supper!

(Just kidding.)

Love,

Mom

And the winners are:

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:

22 11 6
Timestamp: 2009-01-08 05:41:56 UTC



Winner of the first prize, a pack of all-occasion cards:
Commenter #22, Jen from Buried with Children

Winner of the second prize, a pack of valentine cards:
Commenter #11, Lula from Lulaville

Winner of the third prize, my husband:
Commenter #6, Cammie from The House of No Sleep.
Oh, sorry, Joe is too busy with his honey-do list here, so you get a custom-made scrapbook done with photos you email to me.

Girls, please email me your addresses so I can send these out asap. Cammie, if you want, email me your phone number so I can call you and see exactly how you would like your scrapbook.

I am so excited you all wanted to win some of my handmade lovin! Congratulations!

(Queen, I cannot believe that commenting 10 times did not improve your chances. Your luck is clearly as good as mine. You will definitely be getting a consolation prize.)

We're going to see the Mouse...

Did you notice that countdown over there on my sidebar?

The one that says "Days to Disney"?

Yep, we're taking the plunge and going to Disney World. In 55 days, which is forever in poor Gabe's eyes, who was convinced we were leaving the minute we booked the trip. 55 days, which doesn't seem long enough at all to me, the one responsible for all the planning, packing and general organization of the whole darn thing.

Of this I am sure: we're going to see the Mouse, staying on-site for the first time in my life, and we are going to have a great time, come hell or high water!

It would've been even better if I could have met up with Kori and her family on their trip, but they are going a week later than us. What a blog reunion that would've been!

One more thing. The contest for my 300th post is now closed. The names have been drawn. And you have to come back tomorrow to see if you're one of the winners...

How's that for a cliffhanger?

Communion with Gabe (and a giveaway)

Welcome to my (gasp) 300th blog post! For those of you who don't know me in real life, this may be hard to believe. Just ask those who do...I always have something to say, and I rarely refrain from saying it. These people probably aren't surprised at all...

I wasn't sure what to include in this post. I wanted it to be funny, but I also wanted to emphasize those things that make me, well, me. A scrapbooking-ICU nurse-Mommy-wife-sister-friend-blogger-Christian woman. A pretty tall order, I thought.

Then we went to church this past Sunday. We are Methodist, and in the Methodist church, the first Sunday of each month is Holy Communion. Usually we pass the bread around on plates, Pastor Gary blesses the bread, we eat it; ditto for the "wine".

Gabe has only been attending official church since September, after he turned four and proved to the world at large that he had the ability to sit still and remain silent for more than two minutes at a time. That being said, he has only taken communion four times, and each time has been very stressful for me. I tried to explain the meaning of taking communion, but he really wasn't "getting it".

Until now.

Picture this: Gabe, myself, Isabel and Joe are sitting quietly on the pew, towards the front of the church (Elijah is with Papaw a few seats back). The ushers pass the bread plate down our pew, and I take Gabe's bread for him (he tends to be too choosey about his particular piece). Gabe waits for a millisecond before eating the bread (i.e. before Pastor Gary says the "words"). He chews and smiles up at me, knowing he was supposed to wait. I save a piece of my bread for him to eat with the blessing. In the meantime, Gabe is picking at his teeth with his finger. I whisper, "What are you doing?" in a hushed voice, hoping not to attract any unwanted attention.

He answers, in a not-so-hushed-voice, "I'm trying to get this...Jesus is stuck in my teeth!" Just then, he plucks the clump of "Jesus" out of his teeth and swallows it. All around us you hear muffled giggling and snickering.

On to the wine. Or juice; whatever. The purplish fluid representing the blood of Christ. Joe is holding onto Gabe's little thimbleful of juice, so he doesn't drink it before the appointed time. Gabe spies his cup, and loudly whispers "Hey, where's my blood-juice, Dad? I need it!". Joe gives him the cup, hoping to quiet him, at which point Gabe leans over to me and says, "Mom, Jesus isn't in my heart, he's in my stomach!"

Tell me this kid doesn't know the meaning of communion...

I could hardly contain my laughter, and that hysterical moment carried me through the rest of my day. (Thank goodness, 'cause my shift at work totally sucked!)

Here's the sweet thing, saying his bedtime prayer, which has progressed from Dear-Jesus-I-lub-you-amen, to God-is-great-God-is-good-and-we-dank-him-for-our-food-amen.

I love it!

And now for the fun scrapbooking part...

To include y'all in my Post-300-celebration, I am having a giveaway. Now, it's not quite a Sunshine and Lemonade giveaway, but it's the best I've got.

There are three prizes. Leave a comment, and you will be entered in for a chance of one of the three. Become a follower of mine and leave me another comment for another entry (I like being followed, people, c'mon).

I only have a photo of one prize, and here it is:

A set of eight handmade-by-me all-occasion cards (birthday, thank you, congratulations and friend). Made with paper by Basic Grey, and a whole lotta love from me.

Prize two is a handmade scrapbook, in which you can send me your photos and I will scrap them and send you the finished book. It's an 8x8 album, and will be done with this same patterned paper as the cards.

Prize three is my husband.

Just kidding. Although if times get tight, I may rent out his handy-man abilities for some extra cash...

Seriously, the third prize is a set of Valentine notecards, also handmade by moi (and maybe Becky, if she decides to help...hint, hint).

You have until Wednesday at 3pm eastern time to enter, at which point I will attempt the Random Integer thingy to pick three winners. Check back on Thursday to see who won what...

Oh, and thanks for sticking it out with me for 300 posts. Who knew I'd have it in me?

(And that is what she said!)

Almost there...

Posting from work...

Almost at blog post 300...

Stay tuned for a great giveaway...

Blog Bible Study

Following in the footsteps of my friends, Becky and Betty, and my big sister, Michelle, I am going to work on strengthening my spirituality in 2009. I'm hoping to be able to participate in a Beth Moore bible study at our church (if they can get babysitting for Gabe). And starting today, I am going to do a post about a bible verse on the 1st and 15th of each month, working to memorize those verses as I go along. If this strikes a chord in your heart, go check out Betty's post and hop on the bandwagon with us!

I'm starting out with one of my favorite verses, Jeremiah 29:11-13...

"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.'"

The footnote in my bible explains it like this: "As long as God, who knows the future, provides our agenda and goes with us as we fulfill his mission, we can have boundless hope. This does not mean that we will be spared pain, suffering, or hardship, but that God will see us through to a glorious conclusion." Life Application Study Bible, NIV

It's kind of like when you take your kids on vacation. You know how awesome it's going to be when you get there, and how much fun your kids are gonna have. But they are so concerned with the here and now of the getting there, they have no idea of the great time that awaits them when you finally arrive at your destination. I think of God in that way; He's the parent, and we're the impatient kids in the backseat, whining "Are we there yet?". Man, we are probably so on His nerves by now...

Project 365 (and an update)

For all you scrapbookers out there, I just had to share an awesome idea being promoted by Creating Keepsakes magazine and my favorite scrapper of all time, Becky Higgins. It's called "Project 365", and basically it's a scrapbook about your every day life, encouraging you to take a picture every day of 2009, and put it in this book. Can you imagine how awesome it would be to have a book like this from your grandma, or great-grandma? I love reading my grandma's journal and scrapbook; she's the one who inspired me to start scrapbooking in the first place...

I was really bummed today when all of these kits sold out:

But then I remembered my Hobby Lobby gift card (from Joe, 'cause he loves me like that). And my sweet MIL and I headed out to this favorite craft store of ours and spent (a little) more than the balance on the card. I bought all the supplies needed to make my own Project 365, which suits me just fine, since I wasn't crazy about the colors in this kit.

If you are a scrapper, or thinking about starting your first scrapbook, visit Becky's blog and read about it. It's an easy way to get started, and a great gift for future generations. I can't wait to start putting mine together (tomorrow).

Wow, after reading this, I sound like a freakin' advertisement for CK magazine. I'm not, I swear, I just really love scrapbooking. And I love a new project. And I love Hobby Lobby.

'Nuff said.

(Side note: For all of you who followed me over to MckMama's blog to help pray for Stellan...it looks as if Stellan is doing much better, and may even get to come home tomorrow. Praise God for answered prayers!)