Done

As a mother of two very active boys (ages 4 and 2), I'm usually "done" by bedtime if not way sooner (like 5:00 when daddy walks in the door). That's not to mention how I feel at the end of a long day when I'm 32 weeks pregnant! Today was one of those days that started way too early and there wasn't enough coffee in the world to get me started on the crazy journey of what was today!

I agreed to bring a green salad to my bible study fellowship today so as I'm putting that together, I just keep asking myself "Why can't I sign up for something easy like 2 liter drinks or paper plates?" But noooooooo.....I have to sign up for a salad and go all out with the red leaf lettuce (which I ran out to get at 11:30 the night before!), plum tomatoes, purple onion, artichokes, black olives, shredded provolone and homemade dressing (Let me know if you want the recipe!!! It's SO yummy!) and needless to say the girls loved it. But I'm up at the crack of dawn putting this salad together just to have the dressing spill out in the car as I'm RACING to get numero uno into the carpool line.

Yes, I was the very last car in line and I've never been THAT late! But I didn't want to get little man out to walk in numero uno since I'm already late for bible study hence the pulling in on two wheels. Today was the Fall festival at school and they were supposed to wear their western wear and I had to get this picture of my precious cowboy before we left home which made us the last car but I got the pic! (Thanks Aunt Mine for the costume!)

So I arrive at Bible Study late since it starts at 9:30 and I can't even drop my kids OFF until 9:30 at school (resulting in me never being on time!) which I hate because they always have an opening where someone speaks and then you break off into your small group of about 10-12 people. It's so nice to make it to the opening and sit and relax and prepare yourself for the study ahead but instead I'm always missing the opening and getting there after small group has gathered, all out of breath, not relaxed (need I mention 32 weeks pregnant?) and telling myself how overcommitted I am all the while wondering "how can I quit bible study?" How horrible is that?

We had a fellowship today which is why I took the salad and they ask a question that you are supposed to come prepared to talk about...the question today was "Who has been most influential in your spiritual walk?" Well, I don't even have to think about that one...it's definitely my grandparents - my dad's parents. So I start to tell my story and not only start tearing up but face getting red and hot, neck breaking out in hives and having a hard time breathing! I just kept saying "ya'll I'm so sorry! I can't even get through this without crying" but I did eventually wrap it up....I don't know how. Their story is so amazing and the kind of people they were and the legacy they left for me is something I will be forever grateful for. When trying to tell their story to strangers, I really can only tell about 1/100th of the story because they are so many aspects to it but I have this huge burden to put together a book of all of their letters - letters of their courtship while he was working in Washington, D.C. and she was here, letters from WWII while she was at home with two small boys, homemade cards, programs from different bible studies he went to, etc.....I just feel this need to do something with these - not only is it historical but it's such a testimony of faith and I know they've been placed in my hands for a reason. More on that later -

I put off one of my friends from coming over this afternoon to play after I closed numero uno's hand in the car door - not good. Then collapsed into a nap that could've gone on for HOURS, got the kids dressed in their costumes and headed to the Waggoners to carve pumpkins. That would sound easy, right? wrong - kids were complaining about their costumes, blah, blah, blah - lots of whining but we got there and it was great. Here's pics of how the day ended....

Sorry for the long blog! wow!

Pumpkin Patch

So last week, numero uno literally asked me EVERY DAY if I would please take him to the pumpkin patch so I promised Sunday was the day we would go! I always picture we are going to get such great photos at the pumpkin patch....then I remember, not with my 4 and 2 year old!!! But here are some shots that we got!

Sorry the blogs have been minimal lately...we are on a strict countdown of to do lists before baby #3 gets here! Stay tuned for pics of the nursery which we are planning to tackle and finish this weekend!

Countdown to Election!!!!

(We are going to have a new President in 17 days!!! AAHHHHHH!!!!)

So I took the opportunity to vote early today - while I usually don't talk politics with people, I figure this is MY blog so I can do whatever I want! In my county, there are three places where for the past few weeks and leading up to the election, if you are a registered voter, you can walk in between the hours of 8:30-5:30 M-F and cast your vote. Both kids were in preschool today so that's exactly what I did.

After watching the debates last night and receiving numerous disturbing emails - I can honestly say I'm very scared about this election. I've never been SCARED about an election. 4 Years ago I wanted Bush to win and I would've been bummed if Kerry would have won but that's nothing compared to how I feel now. As I stood in line filling out my forms, there was this precious old couple in front of me- the man could hardly see or hear and his sweet wife could barely walk with the assistance of a walker. (If you are 70 and above, you can walk to the front) Sometimes I have these moments where I see people like this and it just reminds of me of my sweet grandparents and I truly believe we are losing the last of the best generation. Where is our country headed? What are we basing our morals and values on? I'm an emotional pregnant woman (as we all know) but I felt so much emotion for that sweet couple, this election and what our future holds.

In less than 20 days our new President could be a man that doesn't like the American Flag ("it's a sign of oppression for some people"), confuses his "Christian Faith" by accidentally saying "Muslim faith" (WHO DOES THAT???) and wants to reinvent our national anthem because it "displays a war like message with the bombs bursting in air and all - it should be swapped for something less parochial and less bellicose". Why would he even WANT to be President? It doesn't even sound like he's fond of America!

Here's a letter to our next President-who I keep telling myself is already decided upon by the One who decides all things...

Dear Mr. President-
One of the many things we don't envy about your job is the public's fascination with approval ratings. For the next four years you will be reminded on a daily basis of whether or not the citizens of this country approve of your performance.

Our hope is that you will set your sights on something of far greater consequence than our approval. We want you to lead in such a way as to gain and maintain our respect.

For that to happen, there must be consistency in what you say and what you do. This alignment will provide you with the moral authority necessary to lead and influence those who selected your name in November, as well as those who did not.

Conduct your public life in a way that positions you to confront without reservation those who have abused their power and influence. Conduct your private life in such a way that you can speak with authority to husbands and fathers about their responsibilities at home. Lead the way in personal generosity. Be the first President of our generation to give away 20% of your annual income. And do it publicly, so as to remove any doubt from either party that you are a man who truly cares about the less fortunate in our nation and in our world.

Our country is deeply divided over the economy, healthcare and national security. A significant portion of the population will not share your beliefs about how these issues should be addressed. There's nothing you can do about that. But please don't do anything that would lead us to wonder if you really believe what you have said you believe about those issues.

The late journalist Louis Fischer wrote "history is the chronicle of divorces between creed and deed." We pray that will not be the case with your administration. Our hope is that you will be a President whose actions reflect the promises you've made and the values you claim to embody. And if that is the case you will have something far more valuable than our approval. You will have our respect.

Sincerely,
Concerned Citizens of the United States

90210....

So many things have changed....the teenagers are skinnier and MUCH more sassy (aka potty mouth), definitely much more "touchy/feely" in the halls and they are in clubs called C&C "Champaigne and Cocaine" but one thing that hasn't changed is the ability to suck me right back in.

I remember back when the original show was on and having friends over every Thursday night to watch Beverly Hills 90210 - now they've dropped the "beverly hills" to just 90210....you should KNOW that's Beverly Hills people!

They still have the Peach Pit, the old man that runs it, Brenda, Kelly and talks of Brandon and Dilyn although they haven't made appearances yet. I even realized my age tonight when the PARENTS of the teenagers made a reference to an old movie that you'd only know if you're at least my age or older - the reference was "No one puts baby in a corner" (Dirty Dancing for you young folks!) The parents just laughed while the teenagers looked at them like they were crazy and what was I doing...of course, laughing! The day is coming soon when I'll be getting those same looks from my own kids.

My better half walked in during the show and says "What is this crap? This isn't even worth the energy it takes to run it on the tv." I guess he wasn't a big 90210 fan - then or now. You see why he's my better half for so many reasons. He doesn't encourage me getting sucked into these stupid shows. But I'm afraid it's too late - Adriana just overdosed, Ethan and Annie were about to kiss and Naomi might be going to jail...I'm tuning in next week!

Noteworthy October Special

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Please visit the link below to see the huge selection Dinky Designs has to offer and then email your order to me to ensure you get this special promotional offer!

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Facebook...the new era

This is my facebook profile pic

I have to be honest and say that I was a little skeptical when friends starting getting facebook accounts. I couldn't figure out what the big deal was? Plus, who in the world has the time to update your every move? But after the 20th friend told me I needed to get a facebook account, I took the plunge and signed up (it's free by the way!)

I had some serious preconcieved notions and misconceptions about facebook-

I thought it was for teenagers/college kids-

-I definitely couldn't have been more wrong about this one! I swear it's the new communication tool for people MY AGE! The thirty something stay at home moms who just miss their old friends!

I thought it was a meat market for hooking up -

- Again, couldn't be more wrong! My husband has his own facebook page now (which freaked me out at first) but it even links us together as married. And once you see who all of your friends are, you realize they are all in the same boat as you...married with kids. Plus, no one can view your info without you "accepting" them as your friend which keeps away the creepy freaks that you don't know!

Here is his profile pic - this was also our Christmas card picture last year!

I was shocked to find practically all of my cousins on there plus the pastor that married us is on there! There is just no reason for people NOT to join......

So....I helped my sister set up her facebook page. Needless to say, her 16 year old daughter is furious with me. She doesn't think her mom has a right to be on facebook. I told her not to accept her mom as her friend then! If that's the problem! But I tried to tell her that her mom has a life outside of her....she has her own friends, cousins, etc. to communicate with! AND...she doesn't need her daughter's approval to get on facebook!

Here is my sister's facebook profile pic

What is up with our kids thinking that our whole life revolves around them? Everything is not about them....which is why we've started telling our kids "sweetie, you are a small fish in a big pond and the sooner you learn that, the better" We also try to portray to our kids that mommy and daddy were here way before you were....we come first here.

Sorry to get off on my tangent but I'm contemplating starting a group on facebook so my sister can rack up more friends than her 16 year old daughter!