To my firstborn on her first day of school

Sophia,

Today you started K4. You are 3 years and 9 months old. I cannot believe we are here. Last night, I was trying so hard to re-experience the feeling of holding and rocking you as a little baby. My mind can remember doing it, but the feelings are not the same. I have enjoyed you in all your stages, but I do wish some days that we could go back, just for a short while, and you could really be my baby again.

I know that K4 is not always "school". But, you are attending K4 at a pretty strict private Christian school. Not a daycare. And next year you'll be in Kindergarten. And then first grade, then 11 more grades. So today is the start of 14 years (gulp!) of academics for you. Wow.

You have had mixed emotions leading up to today, as have I. We have done our best to help you be excited, while still validating and calming your fears. You have been scared about us "leaving you there". But, per your usual, you were excited last night and this morning, and when I walked you into class, you took on the unknown very well. There were no tears from either of us, although after I left you at that big school in the hands of "the unknown" to some degree, I did get a little misty.

Time passed quickly for Caleb and I. He napped, I did housework. It was peaceful. Just a few hours later, I met you at your bus stop. You got off the bus and as I was buckling you in and you were telling me all about your day, I almost lost it. My little baby I love so much had done her first day of school, and loved it, and was now experiencing the big, wide world.

Sophia I want you to know that I am so privileged to be your mommy. You are God's gift and responsibility to us. As we have gone to Open House, and Orientation, it occurred to me that up until now, you have only known stardom in your life. You are so very loved and doted on. At school, while you will be cared for, there will be many many other children also needing attention. You will be in a "herd" of sorts. No one there, or in the world really, loves you and cherishes you like we do. So I hope you grow up knowing that.

I love you very much Sophie Bear. It is bittersweet to see you grow and go. But, just like we thought and you proved by your response today, you are more than ready. May our house and our arms be the place that loves you most and prepares to you to take on the world.

Little this little that recap

Just a few things that have been going on around here

Aunt Hali visited- Sophie had her second trip to the beach, her first time in a bathing suit. She had such a cute suit she got as a shower gift. And the first time I put it on her, it was too small. So Aunt Hali bought her a quick replacement.

Eby was very fond of Aunt Hali

Sophie likes Eby too

The cute replacement suit

She loved the beach breeze on her skin-

Pure elation

We went once just the girls

On the second trip papa joined us

I turned 29. For the first time :) I was very blessed to get a "Nifty 50" camera lens, new pots and pans (so shiny- I love!), an Amazon card (new hair dryer) and money for manicure supplies. I've grown my gel polish collection by 4 more. I'm still loving it.

I spent my birthday day doing normal things around the house, and playing with Sophia in the mirror.

She at least has my chin

Waving at her friend

Nap time. I so love when she falls asleep in my arms.

Then we had Baskin Robbins with a few friends.

We couldn't convince Sophie to smile, she was tired

Daddy love

A few days after my birthday was Sophia's half birthday. Grammy Melanie sent us both a gift!

A little after my birthday my mom took me for dinner at The Fish House. They have the best.cheese.grits.ever. Smoked gouda cheese grits. Sooooo delish.

After dinner we walked to the bay front. There was a pelican there that let me get literally just a foot away from him. I think he would have eaten from my hand if I would have been brave enough to try.

That's some of the things we've been up to lately!

How do you spell your name?

That is the simple question that led to an amusing yet saddening conversation at work. To simply and protect the players in this history lesson gone awry, there will be me, A, B, C, and D. A mix of medical professionals at a nursing station.

A: How do you spell your name
Me: Sara-h.
A: Well I meant your last name, but do you know I would have spelled your name without an h? That's how modern I am.
Me: That's the naked way. The Jewish people spell it with an h and they originated the name.
B: Are you Jewish?
Me: No, but it's a Hebrew name from the Bible and in the Bible it has an H.
C: Sarah, wasn't she Lott's wife who turned into salt?
Me: No, Sarah was Abraham's wife.
C: Well what was Lott's wife's name?
Me: I don't think she had a name listed in the Bible.
A: What about Ruth, whose wife was she? Was she Lott's wife?
Me: No, Ruth was Boaz's wife.
A: Boaz? Are you sure? There must be another famous Ruth in the Bible.
Me: No, not that I know of. Ruth was a widow and her mother-in-law was Naomi and she married Boaz.
B: Are you looking all that up? How do you know all that. Wasn't it Abraham's wife that turned into a pillar of salt? Oh man, I'm Catholic I should know that.
Me: (SMH) No, Abraham's wife was Sarai, then later renamed Sarah. Lott's wife isn't named.
C: Oh that's right, Sarah couldn't have a baby and she had one when they were really old.
D: Yeah, she got turned into a pillar of salt cause she looked back when they were attacking the city.
A: Do you know why the city was being attacked?
D: Cause they were bad, for punishment.
Me: God reigned fire and brimstone down on the city in judgement.
C: Lott's wife's name was Edith.
A, B, D and me: Edith?
Me: What on earth has Mr. Google told you now?
C: Lott's wife isn't named in the Bible but some ancient Hebrew texts refer to her as "The Dew" which translates to Edith.
Me: I told you she didn't have a name. None of you are allowed to teach Sunday School. Sheesh.

It was comical how twisted up the story became, like a rendition of "Who's on First?"
But I was sad that people old enough to be my parents, and almost grandparents, didn't have a firm grasp on some very basic Bible.

Oh the conversations nurses have.

Happy Nurses Week!

One More Day...

Of work. Of 8 hour shifts anyway.

I have prayed several times this week to make it through my last three full days of work. And the Lord has answered. I've done just fine, which is more than I expected.
But I am looking forward to completing my last full day tomorrow.
My midwife has said 4 hour shifts would be reasonable from now on. I'm usually most needed Wednesday through Friday, and with next Thursday being Thanksgiving, I'm only needed two days. And of course there's the possibility that I'll have the baby by then anyway. But my midwife says I should prepare to wait :)

My evenings after work are filled with sitting on the couch :) I've been watching a lot of Netflix. Mostly bridal shows and Extreme Couponing. After watching several episodes of the clippers- I've come to the conclusion that Yakisoba noodles must always be on sale. I would say at least 2/3rds of the hauls I've seen included those high-sodium high-fat low-nutrition noodle trays. I am still impressed at their savings. But there's no way to be balanced in your nutrition without getting "overages" to buy fresh foods to fill in the gaps. Yes, you paid nothing for 93 bags of croutons and a bazillion boxes of pasta. But what the heck kind of menu does that make? I most admire those who coupon and then combine it with growing their own veggies and hunting their own meat. Otherwise your family is going to be eating a lot of processed crap, candy and condiments.

If you recall, a while back I took a couponing class and tried my hand at it myself. But honestly I found it too stressful. In fact, watching the hours and hours the extremists put into it stresses me a bit. Math is not my favorite subject and you need to be quite good at it to be extreme. Coming up with all the combinations for their transactions and watching the register like a hawk is enough to give me an ulcer. It really is a gift for those who can do it, and actually enjoy it!

A show that John and I watch together now is Shark Tank. We actually watch it on YouTube- so you can watch it too, for free. It's a show where inventors pitch their product to investors. But the investors are semi-famous, and there's a lot of good banter between them. We have seen some really neat products and some really stupid ones. And the same for the inventors :) It's nice to have a show to watch again, since most stuff on TV is too objectionable for us.

So now that I'm done with my pause on Extreme Couponing, I'll leave you to it and get back to my show :)
(One can only watch so much TV before your mind goes numb)

Mish mash and meeting a Centinarian

So I did not do a Weekend Update this week.

Mainly, because I took no photos.

We had a yard sale. It was hot. We made decent money though and cleared out room in the garage.
I like going to yard sales, I don't like hosting them so much.

We went to our good friends the Seymore's for lunch. Lauren blogs here.
We had a really nice time. As far as I know, the poppy seed chicken Mrs. T made did not make me fail my drug test for my new job the next day. But I did make sure to tell everyone I ate it! (Nervous!)

Yet another change in our lives- we are looking at houses. The kind you buy, not rent. We've been saving up a down payment for a while now. We want to get in while the market and interest rates are in the buyer's favor still.

It's funny the design and layout choices some people make for their homes. We saw one where the dryer hookup was in the add-on utility room while the washer hookup was still in the original laundry room inside the house. Weird. And it's interesting to see what flooring and surfaces used to popular, but definitely are NOT any longer.

The price range we are looking in, anything really nice goes fast. We saw a home we wanted to make an offer on, only to learn the next day that an offer had been made the day we looked at it. Rats.

Yesterday through work I met a lady who will be 103 in 9 days. She was delightful. Except for some confusion to time, she had her wits about her still. And she looked about 75. She was cracking jokes and making me laugh. I asked her to recall her childhood. She remembered having 7 brothers and sisters and living in a home with dirt floors, but she also remembers growing up in a happy, loving family.
Her own mother lived quite a long time too. She said her secret was "she served the Lord and was lubricated with WD-40," lol. She only had one son, who is now 85. He is out camping and fishing this week. I forgot to ask how many generations are under her. I wonder if she has great great grandkids?

It was very enjoyable to meet her. I let her know she could likely be in the paper for having such a momentous age, but she did not seem to think it was any big deal.

I hope you are all having a good afternoon and are anticipating the arrival of Friday as much as I am!

Thursday Thoughts 09-15-11

Hi all!

It's been a bit since I blogged! Work has been very busy this week. And I just can't seem to fit blogging into those couple of hours I have at home at night!

First, let's talk about nuts...

Oh my! We got these BOGO and used a coupon. Never had them before- they are so tasty! Salty and sweet, they are almost like a dessert! We've gone through 2 cans in like 2 weeks!

And our other nuts...

This little man is losing his today... :) Poor guy

Yesterday John popped in on me at work and brought these:

I was so surprised! I was just as happy to just see him as I was about the flowers! Made my day!

There's something I just don't get. But it's ok since I found out about it after it's all gone apparently:

Missoni (who I had never heard of) is doing a line for Target. But only for a month. Apparently it was like Black Friday madness the day the line premiered. I personally don't care for the hippy-ish chevron design for clothing. But some of the house stuff and accessories looked fun. But from what I understand it was crazy- and that I'll never get. Not worth getting into a fight or getting hurt over STUFF!

I've gone to the gym twice this week! Yay me. I had not been since like early July. And the hubs said he hates paying for it when I don't go. So I guess he can spare me a few nights a week after all!

I've discovered a new "messy' way to wear my hair this week. I dry it scrunchy but then put have of it up. Kind of on top of my head and just secure it with bobby pins. I've gotten several compliments. I love discovering new looks!

The computer drama- that company I was so pleased with. Not so much now. I thought they were above and beyond but they are just average. They would not send me a replacement until my return arrived and then they inspected it. So it took a week to arrive and 2 days for them to inspect the old and ship out a replacement. And now I'll be waiting another week for it to arrive. I am so over my old dinosaur laptop that freezes constantly!!!! It's hard to wait 6 weeks to finally get a laptop when you thought it might take 2! But hopefully deliverance is nigh!

Tomorrow is Friday- do the happy dance!

Thursday Thoughts 08-18-11 Re-do

Ok so there's no way I'm going to make this one as detailed. I don't have it in me to type that much twice.

Today I was at a nursing home and overheard a conversation between two staff members. An aide was telling the maintenance man about her good friend who buys $200 worth of food stamps for $100 from another man. Total fraud. Then the aide was saying that she gets $490 a month in food stamps and her sister-in-law gets $480/mo in food stamps. The maintenance guy said "I should apply". The aide told him he would be denied because he has a job. Um, excuse me! Do you not have a job lady??? You are having this conversation at your WORK! It disgusted me to hear about the abuse this system gets. That's our money people! To me food stamps should operate like WIC. No cash value. You can just purchase the approved foods with a voucher. No returns for cash. I discussed this with a co-worker and the conversation became very inflammatory. She believes the people should be able to choose their foods just like everyone else. I think if you want to buy frozen pizza, Doritos or steaks than you need to pay cash. I feel government-supplied food should be the most economical nutritionally sound basics and nothing more. I don't care if that makes me sound like a right-wing freak. I really don't. This country simply cannot afford to pay for chicken wings and ice cream for people. I would not expect it myself. If I were on public assistance I would expect the very basic. I don't have the money to buy steaks and I certainly don't feel like paying for someone else to have them. I know there are people who really need them and I don't begrudge them that. I just think there's a much better way to administer the program and cut-down on abuse.

In a 180-

I've deemed Cinnamon Toast Crunch my favorite cereal. Peanut Butter Captain Crunch is my second favorite. Too bad they are poison basically. But they taste sooo good. I cannot buy them often. It's hard with the plethora of BOGO cereal deals each week!

I am really thankful for my ladies group and my Sunday school group. I learn a lot from them. The ladies help me deal with my selfishness. And to learn to trust God. To take it one day at a time and trust Him. Only he knows the future. And He has a reason for not showing us everything at once. We think we can handle it but we probably can't. It's just day-by-day, one foot in front of the other. I really need reminding of this since I have a very big tendency to be impatient.
Right now in Sunday school we are going over relationships. Last meeting we talked about the top 5 needs of men and women. I knew almost all for the men. I've read quite a bit since I was pretty concerned about having a healthy marriage. BUT- it reminded me to put into practice what I know!

I've been thinking about our friends who moved overseas a lot. I wonder how life will be for them and what their thoughts and feelings will be about it all. I know "T" is excited to have her own place and be a SAHM, although it's happening under radically different circumstances than she ever imagined. I wonder if I would be ready to accept radically different lifestyle in order to be a SAHM. In my head I think I am. But what if it meant being really poor? Would I really be ready for that?

I'm going to highlight my hair tonight. Mi amor is my assitant! He's helped pull my hair through the cap several times before. It has always turned out good, even impressing my hairdresser. Since I'm getting a trim this weekend and going on vacay soon, I thought it was time to spruce it up. I've been letting it heal and being kind to it since it went through a lot this last year. But I'm feeling the color is a little blah. It just needs a tad more blonde.

Well, that's all I have time to share at the moment. I know my thoughts are soooo weird interesting, but I must go!

Thursday Thoughts 08-18-11

I literally just typed like 8 paragraphs, accidentally hit some wrong key combination, and erased it all. And of course speedy Blogger saved it right away. I feel so deflated. I may type it all up again later. But I'm sure it won't be as organic as the first, since I'll struggling to re-create instead of letting original thoughts flow.

Thursday Thoughts 08-04-11/ Weekend Update

The fence is still not done. I still don't have blinds or curtains. There is no doggie door. We organized the business inventory last night and now my back is making me pay for all the moving.

That's the real...

Now the rosy...

May I repeat- we are debt free! We now have our full "emergency fund" of savings. We said goodbye to Sallie Mae. We were able to get John a "new to us" truck. This will really help with the business.

I am very happy for him. And for me, because now we can pickup stuff when we need to instead of borrowing a truck. And it's a lot prettier than the old Corolla. The interior is not stained! Yay :)
We of course took the kiddos for a joyride in our neighborhood. We don't feel it's safe to take them out on the streets in the truck bed. But around the block was ok. Eby seemed to enjoy it, sniffing and walking around. Ernie mostly stayed with his head poking into the cab through the back window and his little body shaking all over. He pretty much hated it. Lol.

That's him cowering to the bottom left of Eby

Also my car will be getting some work done. And maybe even a paint job. We are wanting to get her in tip top shape so she can cart me around another 5 years or more.

My family visited us last weekend. We had a nice time. Mostly we relaxed on the beach. I didn't snap any pics of my "red lobster" chest and shoulders or the peeling snake skin that followed. Even with a slight burn I am glad to have a touch more color back in my skin. I always feel better about myself when I have a tan.
My dad knocked oysters off the bottom of the floating dock and shucked and ate them right on the shoreline. Nothing fresher! If you like raw oysters that is...which I don't!

We hung out by the boat channel because the Gulf was too rough

There's the prize!

Beating it on a rock to crack it open. Using a large socket he found on the ocean floor. Survivor man. Lol.

Eby was getting some love from my sister Megan

Our dogs love visitors. We kinda get 2nd place when new folks are around who'll pay them attention

Fortunately my dad is an electrician. So he replaced those two light fixtures that I detested with these:
Outside before

Outside after

Inside before

Inside after

So home photos have to wait, and wait, and wait some more. You all can wait right along with me!

Thursday Thoughts 07-28-11

So here's my crap-tastic attempt at a post. I probably should've titled it "Stream of Consciousness"


No, you are still not getting a "new house" post yet. Tomorrow we are supposed to get blinds and then I can hang curtains. We are also getting two new light fixtures. And the fence has been going for two days. Should be done in a day or two more. When all that is done, I will take photos and share.

I'm looking forward to my dad, step mom and sister coming tonight for the weekend. I am not looking forward to the forecast-ed rain. The beach is what we do when they come. I hope those "isolated thunderstorms" isolate from me! We need the rain really bad but honestly it has rained almost every day for two weeks!

Our pastor started a Sunday school class for people in their 20's. We were a little late to the first one so there was really no chit-chat time but I am hoping next week he will do introductions and we can make some friends. But a girl did introduce herself and her hubby last week, so I feel optimistic. I also really like the class. Our pastor is such a good teacher.

John got in another car accident last week (did I mention this?). Really not what he needed. Apparently a guy late for work mistook his gas pedal for his brake pedal. So he was accelerating as he hit John. John was stopped at a red light. No serious damage but he instantly felt neck and back pain and went straight to the chiro. He's been everyday this week and is still complaining of a lot of pain and stiffness. Poor baby : (

I don't want to ever go back to burners on a stove. The flat top stove is where it's at! No more pots sitting unevenly and no more spills and drips under the burners!

I am envious of John taking care of all the little things and appointments regarding the house and such lately. I am glad he can be there because I would have missed a lot of work, but I can't help but feel that I should be the one to meet all the craigslist buyers, the fence builders, the pest control people, the internet man, run to the storage room etc. I should be able to do my errands during the day and not on the weekends and at night. But like so many others, I do. It's not unusual. That doesn't mean I like it.

I have been meaning to "tell" on John for awhile about several of the little quirky things he does. That I sometimes participate in too. So here's one, I hope I can describe it. The other day- John was pursing his lips kinda like a fish but not all the way together and making this "ca-caw" type sound. I had no idea what he was doing. Then he told me he was a momma bird and he was going to feed me. I rolled my eyes and rebuffed him at first. Then I just surrendered to the madness and opened my mouth a little. He proceeded to "transfer" imaginary food into my mouth avian style- ie he pretended to throw up into my mouth. With his perfected patented fake vomiting talent. Yes, we are that weird.

I think my dogs are fabulous. Really. I know this is not new information. But I just love their cute mannerisms and when they come and snuggle up to me. It's hard to leave the house in the morning because I want to cuddle with them.

Some days I consider just quitting my job, forcing our family into "making it happen". Figuring out some way to live with momma still at home. Of course it's highly unlikely I will do this. Especially since Dave Ramsey just chastised a man the other day for his wife not working since they don't have kids and their family was barely surviving on his income. But sometimes I get doubtful and selfish and wonder when the day will come that I get to pursue my dreams because fortunately we have income even if my dreams don't support us.

So much of my life is wonderful and just like I planned. I have a healthy marriage, drive a reliable care, have clothes on my back, food on my table and live in a more than adequate home. I feel guilty for complaining about the areas that are not as I planned/hoped.

Work is super busy right now. I spent all day about 2 hours away from the office yesterday in bad traveling weather. I've been out of the office at least half the day everyday this week. And then when I came in this morning I had 7 more cases on my desk. Drats.

I am very ready for our cruise. After all the stress of moving and settling in, really ready,

It is very hot in an attic in Florida in July. I don't think you should ever have to enter an attic in Florida during the months of March through November. But since I had to about 15-20 times, let me tell you, it is hot. Also somehow while John was handling the giant Christmas tree up to me (since I have a hubby on the mend from a car accident who is also afraid of heights, I do the ladder work) he got quite a good "shock". I'm not sure I've heard him scream like that since we've been married. And there I was trying to make sure he is ok and not drop a 50lb Christmas tree down the ladder but rather hoist it up into the attic. We have no idea how this happened, but I assure you he was mildly electrocuted.

We've had a fun few weeks folks! :) Lol

BUT- today a big shout out that we are DEBT FREE! So really I should be doing a happy dance! It was our goal to be done by the end of the year and we got done early! Some finances that have been long held-up were finally released and we are able to knock out that last little bit! I cannot wait to tell Dave Ramsey on air! I wonder how many times I will have to call to get through? I don't care, I'm gonna keep trying til I do!

Happy almost Friday!

Thursday Thoughts 06-23-11, Moooovin' on up!

Movin' on up, sorta to the East side :)

Today my thoughts are...

MORE SPACE!!!! Yaaaay!

So, the reason we are becoming pet parents/guardians of four is because... we are moving into my mom's brand-spankin' new house! She made us an offer we cannot refuse. Since she is away working right now and may be for some time, she was needing someone to look after the house. And since she's also paying a pretty penny for doggy day-care, she'd really prefer someone live in the house and send her dogs home to live too.

In comes us! :)

We weren't really planning on moving until our lease was up, but after contacting our landlord we found out we could pay a fee to get out of the lease. So after a few months to recoup the lease fee and moving costs, we should be cutting our rent/utilities about in half! And getting much more space, which we really could use!

When mom is home we will all be living in her house she is so graciously sharing with us. Until then we will be happy to break in her new stainless steel appliances, granite countertops and fenced back yard :) Also we'll be able to use 1/2 the garage for eBay storage when she is home and the full garage when she's not. This will really help my sanity, not seeing the 2nd bedroom of our house looking like  a yard sale or thrift store :)

I am scheduled to do the walk-through Friday the 1st and hopefully closing will occur by the following Friday and we'll move in the weekend after that. July is going to be busy busy!

I haven't been able to get inside the house yet to take photos, but here are the ones we take from outside :)

Obviously this is not the house :) But the 2 on the right will be our new "foster" kids :) Should be rowdy :)

Outside! It's a 3/2

Kitchen LOVE!!!! Cannot wait to say goodbye to drip pans!

A ceiling fan to sleep under? Oh yes yes yes!

And today I also smile because it's less than 12 weeks til our cruise!

BTW- If you are local and interested in renting our apartment, let me know! We may get a discount on the cancellation fee if we find suitable renters to replace us.

Thursday Thoughts 06-16-11

Ok so I am not sure I can write unless I get the "to-do" list out of my head. So you get to hear that first:
Make tabs for coupon filer and file clipped coupons
Get a system for storing weekly ad flyers
Print coupons for this week
Stop by Publix to pick up some groceries and some flyers
Get father's day cards and mail- ASAP!
Clean my house- sweep and mop, clean bathroom sink, mirror, toilet and tub, vacuum bedroom. Get rest of eBay stuff into the office. Shake rugs, dust, change sheets, laundry take out bathroom and bedroom trashes.
PURGE! Get rid of extra stuff. Let go of some clothes, shoes, purses and accessories. And some linens.
Put recipes into a smaller binder- use the bigger on for coupon flyers.
Change/download photos into the MyPictures folder at work so my screen saver is not so weird

Okay, now that's out of the way. What are my thoughts this week? It has been a pretty good week. I got a glowing annual review at work, had a very energetic Zumba class, my ladies' small group and a nice evening out.

This week I am trying to let go of a little of my expectations for cleanliness. Lol, this probably does not sound great. But if I don't, I may go crazy. With two people, two dogs and a business all trying to share a 2/1 833sf apartment it's getting a little cramped. Try grocery stockpiling in that space!
John pulled everything out of our office into the living room and kitchen for few days so he could get oranized (again) in the office :) It is a perpetual battle keeping everything in its place. Of course I am sure it is one that almost all are faced with. But some do fight the battle more intensely than others :)

I want to go through and purge everything we don't use. But I just feel like as soon as I do we will move and I will want those things back because I will have room for them. I could probably fill 4 boxes with just the extra kitchen and decorative stuff I don't have a place for right now. But I have collected all this stuff for cheap and I just know if I get rid of it I will need it and then have to replace it. What if I can't get if for cheap again?

The things in my kitchen that I currently store but don't really use: nice stainless steel fondue set ($10), toaster oven ($15) glass cake stand (wedding gift) glass tiered stand (wedding gift) 4 or 5 serving platters of different sizes (gifts or dirt cheap), plastic water pitchers/juice carafes ($3) and a small assortment of baking pans that are not often used. How can I get rid of that stuff? When I can use it I am sure glad to have it.

I also have a jewelry armoire and I probably only use 1/4 of the items in it. But once again, when I want to wear that certain necklace once a year, it is nice to have it.

Then there's all the incidentals like overflow beauty and health supplies, sewing kit, craft pail, gift wrap bag, and of course 3 memory boxes. Some extra linen and pillows for guests, beach gear, camping gear, luggage, dog supplies and some seasonal sports stuff (like ski clothes that were last used 5 years ago but would be expensive to replace) and the rarely used roller blades. Let's not forget car care supplies, pest control, tools, painting supplies, games, DVD's and books. Then the seasonal decorations, which have been forced into mom's storage unit.
It makes me wonder how it all fits even now.
I'm starting to think rather than purging, I just really need more space.

What do people with small spaces do? Buy new Christmas decorations every year? I'm open to advice.

Thursday Thoughts 06-09-11

I wanted to share some quotes off my little tear-off desk calendar. My sister-in-law got it for me for Christmas and I have found some of the quotes very insightful.

To be completely a woman you need a master, and in him a compass for your life. You need a man you can look up to and respect. If you dethrone him it's no wonder that you are discontented, and discontented women are not loved for long. -Marlene Dietrich
I don't know if I agree that you have to have an earthly master. I think you can be single and Jesus can be you only master. But I think this is a good reminder for me all married ladies.

Kissing is a means of getting two people so close together that they can't see anything wrong with each other. -Rene Yasnek

A successful man is one who makes more money than his wife can spend. A successful woman is one who can find such a man. -Lana Turner   LOL!!

Today was a good but busy day. I also found out that my husband has a surprise for me this weekend. Something on Saturday that I'm not to make any other plans during the day. He is going to tell me tomorrow night what it is. I love surprises.

In a conversation with a friend yesterday i realized that if I want a baby by 30, we realistically should start trying in 18 months when I'm 28 and a half. This seems crazy to me! I am getting old and time is going by quickly! Especially when I think that if I have a baby at 30 I will be 40 when they are ten! Wow. Kinda makes me wish I would have started sooner. But I would prefer to be more prepared than be a mom 5 years younger. But to think I could be pregnant in 18 months, wow! I always wanted to be a mom but the more I realize the responsibility of it, I'm rather skittish. I guess you just get preggo and take it one day at a time from then!

I would type more but I have to run. Off to yoga! Happy almost Friday!

Thursday Thoughts a day late

Today my thoughts are (were):

John is coming home
John is coming home
John is coming home
John is coming home
John is coming home
John is coming home
Will this work day ever end?
John is coming home
John is coming home
John is coming home
Am I going to get there before his plane arrives?
John is coming home
John is coming home
John is coming home
Here he is!
He sure is kissing me a lot. Maybe he should leave more often.
This is just like our wedding day (after the ceremony)
I love this
John is home!!!!!!

My thoughts lately

So at the risk of shocking everyone by NOT doing a themed post. Although I think it could easily turn into one. "Thursday Thoughts: A time for reflection" Hmmmm.

I am getting excited to try out our new church this Sunday. We went to bible study last night which is led by the Pastor of the church, and I am just really interested to see how the church service will be. The Pastor just has so much wisdom and integrity, I feel honored just to be shepherded by him. 

Despite this, I don't think I will go there alone next Sunday while John is away (don't bother to stalk my house, our dogs will kill you, or at least alert me so I can kill you with the loaded guns the hubby is leaving). I just think that it will still be too new for me to be comfortable going alone.

The only thing I am not excited about is the 40 minute drive to the church :/

I am inspired by another blog I read: Dashing Dish. I have yet to make any of her recipes, but they all sound great and she seems to have a really good perspective on health, and most of all she loves Jesus and shares about him on her blog. Last night at Bible study we were discussing how when we are not saved, the order is Soul, Body and Spirit and the soul (emotions) rule. But after being saved we are called to walk in the Spirit and to be Spirit, Soul then Body. I am thinking a lot of my overeating and poor food choices have to do with letting the flesh rule and not walking in the Spirit. 

So I am purposing yet again to be more healthy. I have been given all the tools to lose weight, and I have to choose to use them. Even with Lap-Band I can easily cheat myself out of weight loss. Once again, there are no easy answers. But I really want to slim down for myself and for my husband. I know he loves me anyway, but I don't want to be the lady who let herself go. It's so hard. I know the journey will involve a LOT of prayer- that is what I am focusing on the most. It's painfully obvious I cannot do this on my own. So I am asking for the Lord's help. Along with my doctor's, I hope to be down quite a bit by the hubby's birthday in September. I have another appointment for a fill next Thursday. The first one went well, and I wanted to go slowly, but I honestly believe I am not quite where I need to be with the fill level. I should be eating less than I can right now. I of course could eat less right now, but then I don't feel full enough to keep me from snacking and grazing.

I am on track with reading through the Bible chronologically in a year. Thank you, YouVersion Bible app. Tomorrow I finish Leviticus. At the risk of sounding sacrilegious, I will be glad to be done with it. I can honestly say I am thankful that I am no longer redeemed by the blood of bulls and goats and that we are not stoned or killed for our offenses. Also sometimes at 7am it is hard to stay awake reading how each layer of the tabernacle had 50 brass do-dads and 120 gold whats-its and was 5243 cubits long. (Sarcasm my own). But I am honestly very glad to be reading through the whole Bible and will be able to say I have read each and every one of God's words. For certain. And I'm thankful for the books of the Bible that are a little more engaging to read.

I know I will probably miss John  terribly while he's away for 10 days, but there are also parts I am looking forward to. I am going to have my hair trimmed, go to at least 2 Zumba classes, hangout with my girlfriends and have a clean and uncluttered house! All without having to take that time away from the darling husband. I am sure a trip to the beach will be in order also!

And then of course there will be how my heart will be growing fonder in the absence!

I had another pregnancy scare this past week. Although they are few and far between, they are getting less scary. I apparently forgot to change my birth control. Or something. Anyway, it was missing and I don't know for how long. Thankfully I had just been for my annual appt the day before I discovered my error, so I knew I wasn't pregnant. Crisis averted. I don't mean in any way to say that a baby is a crisis or that we wouldn't love and welcome one if that is what God chose. But to us this is not an ideal time to have one. We have things we want to do and accomplish first. On the other side of the coin, I am getting more comfortable with trusting God in this. We agreed to use birth control and plan our family. But if God overrides us, so to speak, who am I to question him? I know he is in control of my life, every area. (Preachin to ma' self!) Even this one. And His word says children are a blessing and a heritage. So if he decides to choose their coming without our say-so, who are we? So we will keep doing what we've been doing and leave the rest to Him. What can I gain by worrying about it?

Of course baby bellies popping out all around me probably helps! And I can't wait til we do have one, just to get all their stuff for SUPER cheap. Let me tell you, if baby stuff resold for a profit- we could be RICH! Baby items are abundant and cheap at yard sales. You could easily get everything you need for a baby for $500. No lie. And good stuff too! Oh how I love to shop!

Well I am sure I have bored you with enough of my thoughts for now. We'll see how I'm feeling next Thursday and if this will become a theme! I'm gonna go ahead and give it a label just in case!