4th of July Photo Flop

I was excited about getting a good 4th of July picture of my kiddos. I went out and bought all of them patriotic clothing--a tremendous waste of money. I had about 15 seconds of battery left on my camera, plus Dru just could not bring herself to smile like a normal person, and Belle couldn't keep her mind on the picture-taking process long enough to keep from looking off into the distance. All in all it was a disaster. These are the only two pictures worth posting. They're still beautiful... difficult, but beautiful.

Belle, Bath time, and Best Wife Ever

A few nights ago we went to check on Belle in her bed and discovered she had made a pillow fort and was sound asleep inside. It was really cute. A little weird, but really cute.


Today, Jeb had a ton of fun at bath time. He splashed so hard that my pants got so wet I had to change. He makes me laugh every single day. I love my baby boy. Isn't he cute in his little towel? Thanks, Stacey!




Tonight I made my husband tacos. I hate tacos. I hate the way they smell. I hate the way they look. I hate tacos. I do, however, love to make him happy. So, after tacos, I made him Mexican Nachos. At least that's what they call them at Abuelos. It involves deep frying a flour tortilla, smothering it in sugar and cinnamon, heaping on vanilla ice cream, and squeezing on carmel and chocolate syrup. I wouldn't even want to think about the number of calories. Matt ate two. He's not feeling so well at the moment. I'm still proclaiming myself Best Wife Ever for the night. I made tacos.



(*UPDATE: Matt is so sick. He is supposed to be watching Jeb but can barely raise his head up. He just confessed to eating 6 tacos and 1/2 the bowl of rotel dip. I love Jeb's face in this picture... completely oblivious to his daddy's misery.)

A Life Worthy of Your Calling

Matt talked in connection group today about Joshua and going through this life with strength and courage. It really challenged me, I have to say. He talked about "living a life worthy of your calling". What an accomplishment that would be. I mean, think about getting to Heaven, and Jesus Himself looks at you and says, "Way to go, Kid. You lived a life worthy of your calling." It gives me chills just thinking about it. In fact, I can't think about anything better. I have no doubts about what God has called me to in this life. It seems every day He confirms it a little more, bit by bit. In some ways I'm faithful, and in some I'm a bit more apprehensive.... but, hey! Even Moses was apprehensive, right? At what point, though, do we fix our eyes above and just say, "It's all about You. I'm done worrying what people think, say, do, imply.... I'm living a life to please You and no one else." That's my struggle... worrying about pleasing everyone to such a degree that I sometimes forget my life is ultimately for the pleasure of only One who knows me inside and out and still adores me, cherishes me, thinks I'm pretty awesome. Until I lay all my doubt and insecurities aside, I am convinced that a life worthy of my calling will always be just out of reach. So, tonight I'm praying for strength and courage. It was so nice to be reminded today that I have a Father who doesn't look at me with a critical or condemning eye but who sees me, really sees me, and insanely loves me anyway. Incredible. Thanks for the reminder, Matt.

And speaking of strength and courage, it's Sunday which means I need to post a bit of the novel. I'm still on chapter 10. This week was crazy, and I'm struggling a bit with this chapter. And please keep in mind, this is raw. Really raw and not nearly edited enough. Strength and courage! Here I go...

D Broc took a step toward them as though straining to understand their cries. He stared at them a moment, sardonically cocked his head, then pulled a handgun from his waist and shot both of them in the temple. Boom. Boom. Silence followed, then a laugh here and there from the others. They cursed the dead men, and as if the torture had not been enough, leaned in close and spat on their bodies. The gunshots resounded throughout Esther’s already trembling frame and forced her from stupor to all-out horror. Her heart cried out to her frozen limbs. Run! Without looking back, she turned and ran to the car, crawled inside and pretended to sleep.

Oh, and here's a picture we took last Sunday of Jeb and Grandpa. Every time I see Jeb's name written, in my mind, I see Grandpa's name, James Earl Burris. I know I probably won't do that forever, but I hope I do. What a man to be named for. I hope Jeb will always remind me of him and how blessed my life is because of him.

Jeb Pictures

I took some pictures of Jeb today in his Paw-paw overalls (courtesy of Grandpa Greg and Grandma 'Nita) and straw hat. And dorky mom that I am, I'm posting a ton of them. (P.S. Pay no attention to the post below from the uninvited guest blogger!)

Jamoca Shake Anyone???

High Blogging world. Rarely do I (Matt the wonderful, loving, handsome, smart, and every other good adjective husband of the Slaughterhouse Rules blogging queen) post something, but this was just too funny.

The other day I asked my beautiful wife to pick me up a Jamoca Shake from Arby's on her way to my office. She willingly did, but ran into a slight problem. When she pulled into the drive through to order she go all flustered. The menu looked different... she couldn't find the Jamoca Shake or any shake... she started to get worried. Any second the worker was going to ask her for her order, and she didn't want to ask for a Jamoca Shake if they didn't have them any more. That would be way too embarrassing.

Then it happened the speaker crackled and the worker said, "Welcome to Taco Bueno may I take your order." LOL.. I wish i could have been there to see her face. Ang said she didn't say a word, but just through her car in gear and drove over to Arby's.

After all that I did get a Jamoca Shake. I pretty much have the best wife ever! Thanks sweety for being so great! You are the most wonderful, loving, sexy, smart, and every other good adjective wife ever!

Bittersweet

You are looking at pictures of what MAY be (God willing) our future new home. It's not not a castle, but it might as well be to me. I'm so very excited, but at the same time, a little sad about leaving this house. It's small, yes, but it's ours. We've done so much work here... not to mention Stella and Jeb came home from the hospital here. Then there's the swing set out back that Matt poured his blood, sweat, and tears into. Belle broke her little arm in the living room. Our sweet neighbors, who might as well be family, are ten steps away. I've been through post partum twice in these walls and lived to tell the tale. And the big one... Grandma has been here. I came home to this house after I lost her, and in this house I cried (still cry) but made it through. It's funny how a home, a house itself, can become a safe haven. Bittersweet.

My Morning

Things I have done this morning...

Played with my babies in our bed. (They love that.)

Made more bracelets with the girls.

Loaded kids and a very angry cat into the car and took him (Faulkner) to the vet.

Broke up a fight b/t Belle and Dru over whether or not this bug was dead. (It was.)

AND as an update........ (drum roll, please....)

We have a contract on our house, and we just learned this morning that our offer on the other house in Springdale has been accepted. Can I get a "Praise the Lord?!"