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Thursday, October 30, 2008

Of Halloweens Past...

I sort of go all-out on Halloween for my girls. They love it. I love it. Matt tolerates it. So I thought it might be fun to look at some past Halloween costumes. I really didn't get the bug until 2005--Belle was 2 and Estella was 1, so we'll start there.

Halloween 2005: Fairies (Estella Dru had a big headpiece, too, but wouldn't leave it on.)



Halloween 2006: Mermaids (Ummmm... so these costumes made by Mommy came out a bit more provocative (i.e. hoochie) than I envisioned. Matt almost didn't let them out of the house for trick-or-treating. I still think they were adorable. And in case you're wondering... yes, it was freezing cold outside. Mom-of-the-year strikes again.)



Halloween 2007: A fairy and a ballerina





And I'm... ummm, I mean, they are super excited about tomorrow. They are Razorback princess cheerleaders, and Jeb is a football player. I'll take lots of pictures and post them tomorrow night. Happy Halloween!

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

America's Got Talent

2 minute Soap Box

Foreword: If you know me, you know I have not sent one political, party-biased forward, campaigned for any presidential candidate, or even hinted about my political leanings in this blog or via email. That being said... I'm due one small go on my soapbox.

Discernment. The election is less than a week ago. Clearly, the country is at a tremendous crossroads. I know the plan for America was constructed even before He created the Earth, and that should be a huge comfort. But if I'm being honest... 'where we are'-- or perhaps, 'where we're going'--is frightening to me. Webster's says 'discernment' means keenness of insight and judgement. So, where is it? Where is the good judgement? I hear Christians talking. I hear the opinions. I can't see God. I can't make out the discernment.

I believe that if we ask, God will let us know how to vote on election day. I'm sure that must sound crazy to some. But Jeremiah 29:13 says, "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." I not only believe Christians aren't seeking Him with all their heart, I don't believe many Christians are seeking God in this at all. Are we so cavalier and self-serving that we feel we can make such important decisions alone.. that we can do this life alone? I believe therein lies the problem. I believe that if we don't look to Him in this, He may eventually just let us have a go at it.

I'm just saying... let's get on our knees, pour our hearts out to God, ask Him what He wants for this country, get up and do what He says. If He says, "McCain", then McCain. If He says, "Obama", then Obama. His Word says if we'll ask, He'll tell us. So, why aren't we asking? Isn't that how we go through life? We ask for God's guidance and help, and we try to adhere to what He tells us to do? Why is this any different? Why do we insist on keeping God out of the election process? I don't get it.

I would love to sit at home, play with my kids, make scarecrow cakes, and not worry about where we're going as a nation. I can't. I'm concerned and praying for the blinders to come off of a nation who knows better. I'm praying for a little discernment...

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

End Result

Not too bad...

Today's Project: Scarecrow Cake

This is my project for today... a scarecrow cake. This picture is off the Betty Crocker site. I thought it would be fun to see how close to the real-thing I can get. I'll post a picture of mine tonight after it's done.












But you have to promise no laughing if mine is a disaster. If I do make a mess, though, it makes me feel better to know that I'm not alone. Below is a picture from Beth Moore's blog. Her daughter Amanda posted it as the birthday cake her mom (Beth) made for her two years ago. (She ran out of room, so 'HBA' stands for 'Happy Birthday Amanda.') How about that sea turtle?

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Suspect Apprehended

After a full confession, the White Part Bandit has been apprehended.



Thursday, October 23, 2008

White Part Bandit

Don't get me wrong. I am a white-part-only candy corn lover. However... this is inexcusable. I have narrowed the suspects down to two individuals. White females. One five years old. One four. Both deny involvement in the current incident but have been found guilty of past crimes involving the defacement of candy corn. I will announce if/when an arrest has been made. It's just wrong.




Saturday, October 18, 2008

At the Pumpkin Patch...

















Friday, October 17, 2008

Friday Nothingness

A couple things for this Friday. Pointless things of absolutely no redeeming value. Please take a moment to remove your thinking caps.

****** (ADDED) DUE TO A FEW INQUIRIES ABOUT ELI STONE, I FELT I HAD TO ADD THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION.



It airs on ABC Tuesday nights 10/9 Central. Get your DVR's ready!!!! For a sneak peek at next week's episode or to watch last week's online, go HERE. I love being an Eli Stone promoter!

******

1.) I am ecstatic that Eli Stone is back. It is possibly my favorite show on tv right now. Love it. Love it. If you don't already, put it on your DVR list.

2.) I have to put this in writing b/c it drives me CRAZY. Each and every time people on tv have a container of coffee (like a Starbucks cup) and pretend to be drinking from it, it is clearly empty. When they sit it down it makes an empty noise. When they drink from it, it is incredibly fake. For the sake of good acting, why can they not actually put something in those cups?

3.) We are going to the pumpkin patch this weekend, so I promise pictures. For anyone in NW Arkansas, Ranalli's in Tontitown in the place to go. (I'm secretly hoping to run into the Duggar Family and the TLC crew. I saw them in the mall on Monday. I had stars in my eyes.)

4.) How can Abby leave County General? Thanks, Luca.

5.) My husband's golf coaching career is over for the time being. Praise you, Lord.

6.) He's going to Haiti in January for over a week. ONLY because he's going for Jesus have I not filed for divorce.

7.) Every time I sit here and type on my computer a little squirrel comes to the window and stares at me. I swear one time he knocked on it. One of these days, I'm going to get a picture. Matt thinks I've lost my mind when I tell him about my squirrel friend. (Ok, maybe he didn't knock on it intentionally, but there was definitely knocking.)

8.) I've had three pumpkin spice lattes this week. That equals 1140 calories and 153 grams of carbs. Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned.

9.) Best quote I've heard all week... of course from Eli Stone. "You're one of those people for whom normal is a failure of potential." Love it. (MS and ZK, are you reading this?????)

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Eight Month Old Fit (Warning: Long Post Ahead)

I had a bit of a revelation the other day. I wrote it down then but have just now decided to share it. By no means do I feel worthy or fit enough to impart any sort of wisdom. Most of the time I feel like a complete mess. But at the same time, another part of me compels me to share when I would really, really rather not. And because I know what, or Who, it is doing the compelling, I have a hard time saying, no. So….

Jeb and I were playing on my bed last week. For a long time he sat contentedly beside me and rummaged through my make-up bag before the mascara tubes and bronzer brushes got boring. Suddenly, he began crawling full-speed toward the edge of the bed. I thought surely he would stop, but… he didn’t. I quickly reached over and grabbed him by the ankle only seconds before he made the harrowing plunge to the floor and certain destruction. But instead of extending me a little gratitude as his rescuer, he proceeded to pitch an all-out, eight month old fit, complete with flailing arms and deafening screams. The harder I held on, the more he struggled to propel himself toward the edge. He had tunnel vision. A single goal. A destination from which an extremely bothersome and unseen hand was keeping him. He was furious and yelled all the louder, though never took the time to actually look back at me. He was focused.

Though the drama was a bit annoying, I almost had to laugh. The little guy had no idea what he was trying to get himself into. And though he couldn’t hear me above his cries of frustration, I kept trying to tell him, “Sweet Boy, if Mommy lets you go, you’re going to fall right on your head. I understand you don’t believe me, but I know something you don’t about what’s ahead of you. And I know you want to go, but I can’t let you take that fall.”

As those words left my mouth, I sat there almost frozen, holding his little ankle. At that moment, I caught an unexpected glimpse of God. My mind began to recall time after time when I pitched a supreme fit over something I wanted… was determined to have… yet, He said, no. I remembered being so furious at Him for not answering my prayers the way I wanted…. like when I prayed to marry a certain boy, or when I prayed those long months for Him to give me a child, or for Him not to take my best friend to Heaven. And each and every time, when He did not let me have the desires of my heart, I kicked and flailed and screamed so loud that I couldn’t hear His voice whispering, “Sweet Girl, if I let you go, you’re going to fall. I understand you don’t believe Me, but I know something you don’t about what’s ahead of you.” I sat there, holding Jeb, humbled beyond words. All those times when He held me back, rescuing me from my own selfish desires… holding me back from what I wanted until the time was right for Him to give me what I needed—His plan for me fulfilled and what ultimately was bigger and better and more than my human mind could have imagined for myself…the thought absolutely overwhelmed me.

I am human, and as I said earlier, a mess most of the time. Hopelessly, hopelessly flawed. I know there will be times when, like Jeb, I will once again unknowingly set myself up for a painful fall. But I believe that He will be there, and just in time, He will reach out His hand and grab me by the ankle. How awesome.

Monday, October 13, 2008

Weekend: Game and Cemetery

Scary title, huh? Well, those were two events I captured via photography this weekend. The first one being Belle's big Friday night cheerleading performance. She went to 'Pee Wee' Cheer Camp all last week at Shiloh which ended in a show-stopping performance at halftime of the Shiloh football game on Friday night. It was hilarious... so cute, but so funny to us to see her cheer. Here are some pictures from the game.










Then Saturday morning we woke up early and drove to Grandpa's. Sunday afternoon, I took the girls to visit Grandma's grave. We call it 'where Grandma's picture is'. (I don't want to confuse them.) Of course, I had my camera, and took some pictures. I hope that doesn't freak people out. I guess I can see how it might. And it may be weird... I don't know. But, for me, I know she's in Heaven, but her grave is a special place for me. Not gross. Not morbid. I wrote something similar to what I'm TRYING to say in my book. I'll try to find it and add it at the end of this post. Anyway... here is my favorite picture.


*********************
Near the cemetery fence she almost tripped but somehow maintained her balance and threw open the gate and stumbled inside to her parents’ grave. She gasped for air as she fell to the ground near the tombstone that read Boudrow in dark, carved letters. She was sweating and freezing, her teeth, chattering. She moaned in pain, holding her chest above a wildly beating heart. Slowly she rolled to her back on top of the grave and hugged her body with her bare arms.

“Hey Mama.” She whispered with difficulty.

She paused as if waiting for a response and stared at the stars above.

*********************

But if you are still determined to think taking pictures in a cemetery is freaky, let me show you freaky.


AHHHHHHHHHH!!!

Friday, October 10, 2008

Matt's T-Shirt


Last Friday, Shiloh had their 'Family Group Olympics'. Now, I'm not altogether certain what a 'family group' is (I'll have to get a good definition), but I do know Matt leads one. This is the shirt his kids came up with for their competitions. I love it. Of course, I didn't get one. Matt always leaves me out when scoring t-shirts. I had to steal a golf shirt, and he's the coach!!!

Friday

I realized today that I haven't posted anything here since Monday. It's been a slow week. I like slow. I did take Jeb out this morning for some pictures, though, and can post a few of those. If anyone has any suggestions on what to do with this kid's hair, I am open for discussion.




Monday, October 6, 2008

SickHouse and Novel

I should have changed the name of my blog this weekend to the Slaughter SickHouse. We had a tough weekend. I won't go into details, but it involved large quantities of vomit and other bodily fluids ending up in places vomit just shouldn't. We are all better now, though, and our little setback was actually good for me in that I got the opportunity to write a little more than normal. I take what I can get these days. Anyway, I have had several people ask me why I don't post portions from the book I'm working on anymore. The answer is I'm a big fat chicken. But, today I decided to bite the bullet. I finished another chapter and am so close to the end. So, what can it hurt?

Esther exhaled loudly and leaned her head back onto the couch. She closed her eyes and took her face in her hands. She wanted to cry but was far beyond tears. She wanted to run but knew of nowhere as safe as where she sat. Peering through her fingers, she saw Ms. Beulah sitting at the kitchen table, her eyes shut and her lips murmuring a rapid prayer. Esther focused on the old woman’s hands clasped together on the table. The knuckles were white as Ms. Beulah clenched her fingers together tightly and prayed with fervor, determined not only for God to hear, but to answer.

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Yesterday

I had a crazy day yesterday. On top of all the running around I had to do, I felt like poo. This morning I can't speak above a whisper b/c of my throat. Bad for me. Great for Matt and the kids.

I thought I'd post these pictures from yesterday to demonstrate the day's craziness. I'll let them speak for themselves other than to point out... if you wonder what the 'smudge' is above Jeb's right eye in the bathtub picture, please refer back to the second sentence and the descriptive word for how I felt yesterday. (Oh, if you could only see under his neck.... I just don't get how that happens.)