Friday Smiles (4 days later)

5 top things that I'm thankful for from this past week...

*1* Noah Bryce, whose 3rd birthday was this past Friday. Little buddy had a rough 1st month of his life, but has made up for it ever since. He only has one speed in life and that is very, very fast. He keeps Jared & me constantly on our toes and on our knees. I love you buddy!

*2* www.reformation21.org/calvin, a blog entitled Blogging the Institutes. I had begun slowly reading thru the Institutes and taking notes a while back, but got sidetracked somehow. Uncle Teve mentioned this website to me a couple of months ago, and I have just now remembered to get into it. Its been great so far.

*3* Bible Study Tuesday morning. Kelley gave a challenging devotional this week. I plan to blog about it in more detail as soon as I can read my letter without breaking down into tears.

*4* March Madness. I don't think there is a greater time of the year in all of College Sports than the month of March. How I love basketball.

*5* My wonderful husband, Jared, who listens to all of my emotional, hormonal outbursts and loves me all the same.

Pic of the Week ~

Noah has a bit of an obsession with balloons, which is why we normally don't keep them in the house. However, since his bday was Friday, Jared brought 2 birthday balloons home from work for Noah. The balloons probably spent more time on our ceiling than they did in Noah's little hands. This is Granddaddy being a hero and rescuing the red balloon. Noah thought this was a wonderfully fun game!

What I learned today

I've been told that you learn something new every day, and for the most part, I've found that statement to be true. Every day is a new day with new experiences, so it stands to reason that one would come away from each new day with some new bit of knowledge, however small or seemingly insignificant it may be. For example, the family and I had lunch at McAllister's Deli at Brookwood today. I decided to try their Cheddar Potato soup. It was delicious! I noticed that Jared was eating some saltine crackers with his soup, so I tried that. It was yummy too. I put some crutons from my salad in my soup, and again, it was delicious. So, just from that one brief lunch, I learned that I really enjoy McAllister's Cheddar Potato soup, especially with crackers and crutons. Will this bit of information have a great impact on my life in the future? Probably not, except for the times I eat at McAllister's Deli.

Friday Smiles

*1* We had snow this past Sunday! A lot of snow, I might add, probably the most snow that I've ever seen. It was so beautiful.

*2* The folks who came to look at our house last Saturday came to look at it again last night ~ thats twice in less than a week. Another couple came to see it this morning ~ three showings total in the first two weeks on the market! I am really encouraged by that.

*3* Isaac rolled over from his back to his tummy! This probably means that we should finally move him out of his bassinet. I know that he should've already been moved to a crib a long time ago, but he just sleeps so well. I think he likes the confined space.

*4* Gabby was an incredible help to me yesterday. I caught Noah's tummy bug and felt awful. She sent me to bed and completely took over with the kids.

*5* We have found another house that we really like, which even though we're not to the point where we can put an offer on it yet is still a blessing. Our fear in this housing search has been that we'd sell our house before finding one that we wanted. Well, we have one that we want and just need ours to sell.

Pic of the week ~ It had to be from the snow!

Our Little Ham

Isaac woke early from his nap yesterday, so Jared and I decided to take some fun pics of him playing. He was cracking me up with his facial expressions.

Friday Smiles

*1* We have our very first showing tomorrow afternoon at 3pm! I am very excited about it. Lisa said that the folks coming to see it are first-time home buyers with one child and another on the way. I'm guessing the kid-friendly colors in the bedrooms are a big draw for them. Can't wait to hear the feedback!

*2* Rach was a very big girl at her 4-year-old check up yesterday. She had to have two shots. There were some tears, of course, but she calmed down very quickly. I took her to Chick-fil-a for a brownie to celebrate!

*3* Noah has FINALLY started to consistently poop in the potty on his own. Guess he got tired of having his basketballs in time-out every other day.

*4* The house is on the market! This means that our wknds and evenings will not be filled with home improvement projects. I'm sure there will be a couple of touch-up things here and there, but for the most part we can go back to having our normal relaxing down times.

*5* Wednesday was visitor's day at Rach's ballet class. It was so much fun to watch my little girl dance. I'm so very glad she enjoys it so much. Makes a mama proud!

*Pic of the Week ~ From Visitor's Day*

For Sale!!!

Its finally official...our house is on the market! It'll be listed on Realty South's website at some point tomorrow, as soon as Lisa can get the pictures and the virtual tour (!) uploaded. I'm so excited. Jared has been working so hard these past few weeks getting everything ready. The poor thing hasn't had a real weekend since the middle of January. Now everything is over but the waiting.

Friday Smiles

Five things I'm thankful for this week ~
*1* We made it thru the first of the week with Jared being gone to Miami!

*2* Fireplace smores at Pop & Mamaw's were delicious! Such happy memories, even if we all came away from the evening with little sleep ~ thats whats supposed to happen at a sleepover.

*3* Our Music & More class was a lot of fun yesterday. I like it better with fewer children. Isaac had a blast ~ big smiles the whole time.

*4* Obama's economic stimulus package ~ no, I'm not a fan, but that $15,000 tax credit for home buyers will come in very handy.

*5* Speaker phone ~ it was so cute this week to listen to Rach & Noah talk to Jared each night while he was away.

*Pic of the Week* (A new feature to Friday Smiles)


I love this! Isaac was so focused on that Smore, and Jingles was as well. Poor Jingles...he tried so hard all night for just a taste.

a brief sampling of my 'Rosie List'

Rarely does a Tuesday go by that I come home from Bible study without a new quote to add to my Rosie list. My Rosie list is a collection of wit and wisdom from a precious lady in our church who graciously shares with all us girls her pearls of wisdom every Tuesday morning. Containing everything from a story of how God answered her prayer for replacing a typewriter ribbon one Friday afternoon to reminders for us to love and treasure our husbands each day that we have with them ~ Mrs Rosie's storehouse of life lessons seems boundless. It makes me so happy to walk into Bible study each week, see her caring and smiling face, and know that shes going to have something very special to add to our lives. So, here's to you Mrs Rosie ~ you are a joyous treasure!

"I don't know how I ever lived this long without them helping me."
~referring to her family, who she claims thinks she doesn't have sense enough to come in out of the rain.

"A lot of womens' problems is feelings."

"Every season of your life should be the happiest time of your life."

"I was so glad when that Bible fell in the commode."
~yes, there is a story behind this one and its classic!

Friday Smiles

Yes, I do realize that it is not Friday, but I ran out of time yesterday and didn't want to change the title. :0)

1* Isaac rolled over for the first time on Tuesday!

2* There are other houses for sale here in B'ham that Jared and I like just as much if not more than the one in Vestbrook that got away.

3* Uncle Teve has a girlfriend! No, he's not immediate family, but we're all happy for him just the same.

4* Anna is going to be able to stay with us while Jared is in Miami for a conference.

5* We've set a date for getting the house officially on the market...we're aiming for wknd after next.

Friday Smiles

*1* God doesn't ask us to understand Him or to figure out His plans for us ahead of time. He tells us He is good and asks us to trust & obey Him.
*2* God saw the huge mess that I would make of my life this week before I was even born, and yet chose me and called me His own.
*3* The whole family is working together on getting the house ready to sell. So cute to see Rach using the hand vac and Noah scrubbing the kitchen floor.
*4* We have the best real estate agent ever working for us...love to Lisa Clark!
*5* I'm loving some podcasts...how wonderful it is to have anytime access to incredible teaching ~ David Platt, Joel Brooks, John Piper, Greg Koukl, and many more. itunes rocks!

Up, Down, Up, Down

My prayer tonight as I'm falling asleep will go something like this, "Father, can we just forget this day? Amen." And I know that its okay to pray that way because 1) God knows that that is exactly what is in my head and on my heart anyway, so I may as well voice it and 2) Pastor Barry mentioned in his sermon a couple of weeks ago that he's prayed that prayer at the end of a day before. Here are just a few of the twists & turns of the rollercoaster that has made up my last 36 hours....
Up ~ an email from our real estate agent telling us that a house in our neighborhood is under contract...very encouraging news.
Down ~ a voicemail telling us that someone else has made an offer on the house in Vestbrook, meaning that we have to bust it to try and make an offer of our own.
Up ~ I got on the scale this morning and found that I am back to my pre-pregnancy weight...whoo-hoo!
Down ~ I way over-reacted on the phone with Jared while the children were listening prompting Rachel to ask me why I was mad at Daddy.
Up ~ Rachel figured out and read the word Dig during "school" while we were working on "ig" words.

Friday Smiles

I'm borrowing this wonderful idea from another blog that I try to be consistent about reading. Here are the five things I'm most thankful for about this week ~
1. Jared's meeting this morning about his very bad day at work yesterday went as well as could be expected, and that his job is secure.
2. Mortgage rates continue to drop which makes the house we really like in Vestavia a good possibility, and the sellers' agents are very good about staying in touch with us!
3. The children had a fun morning with Gabby on Wednesday while I went to the doctor.
4. I didn't pass out at said doctor appointment after the nurse took my blood. :0)
5. We had a fun evening with Uncle Teve on Tuesday.

House Hunting

Jared and I are going to look at a house today. This will be the 3rd one that we've actually gone to see in the past few months, though we (well, I) have been looking online several times a week. I'm cautiously optimistic about this house. It has everything that we "need" and pretty much everything we want as well including that all important garden tub with seperate shower, love to Debbie! I have been praying not so much that God would grant us the house, but that He would grant me the grace to be content regardless of what He has planned and that we would be wise in our decisions regarding the search. I REALLY do want the house though, and God is patiently teaching me to surrender that to Him and trust Him.

My Favorite Christmas Moments...

We have had a simply wonderful Christmas...so many fun memories spread out over the entire month of December. I wish I could post all of my pictures, but there is just not enough time or space to do so. Here are just a sampling of my favorite moments ~

Every Christmas, up until she & my dad moved to Foley, my mom would cook a huge breakfast complete with quiches, muffins, and this amazing grits casserole. We decided to revisit that yummy tradition since every one was coming into town to see the Rockettes Christmas Spectacular. It was a great day!

This was Isaac's first Christmas. The very first present that he received was a Glo-Worm! I was even more excited than he was because my brother, Chris, and I both had one when we were little.

Noah received a Big Wheel from my parents, Mimi & Papaw, another classic toy! He was very excited as well and just could not wait for Jared to put it together for him, so he decided to do it himself. He worked very hard at it for a while, trying to figure out exactly how all the parts fit together.

Rach & Noah's preschool choir sang several songs as part of our choir's Christmas "Cantata" (love to Rose Potts!) Apparently our Noah was just too much for little Erin Faulkner. She decided to lavish him with kisses right in the middle of Jesus Messiah! I'm still waiting for someone to send me the pictures, but there's a great video of it already up on Facebook.

A new tradition, or what I would love to become a tradition anyway, this year was a trip out to the Howards' Lakehouse. We spent the night there with the Howards and the Merediths. Troy & Aaron lit a bonfire, and everyone enjoyed roasted marshmellows. Shortly after coming in from all that, Noah was hit with a stomach bug, and our family was up most of the night with him. Not the most fun memory of the season.

There are a very few moments in the year that I enjoy more than Christmas morning with the kiddos. Noah was not having a good day until he realized that there were more presents wrapped inside his & Isaac's new Auburn toy box.

We spent Christmas night with Jared's family at Pop & Mamaw's. This was the first year in a while that his family hasn't all been together. Nate & Hannah recently moved to Philadelphia, and we missed them terribly. After the traditional Sibling Photo session (which Kyle looks forward to any time we all get together), we ate supper and opened our Great Tower of Presents. Noah recruited Cousin Cynthia to help him with all of his gifts, and Rach made tea for everyone afterwards with her new tea set. Isaac is just waiting for the weather to get cold again so he can break out his new leather jacket, yep, thats right, I did type leather jacket. Gabby rocks!

What a great night...

I feel as though I am finally fully ready for Christmas. Today was Jared's last day at work for the year, well almost, he does have to go in Monday, but I'm not counting that day. Ha! To celebrate, I made a fruit pizza, which he and I are about to dive into as soon as I finish this post, so forgive me if I seem to rush! Also to celebrate, the whole family (yes, even Isaac) piled onto the couch after supper and watched the first half of "Its A Wonderful Life." Rach & Noah had their sippy cups and big lollypops (thank you miss anna and ms shirley) and were glued to the story. Noah's favorite part was the swimming pool under the floor and Rach laughed at Mary hiding in the bushes! They didn't want us to turn it off but considering it was past bedtime when we started the movie, we couldn't very well watch it all in one night. Besides, Jared & I are anxious to get to the fruit pizza I mentioned earlier. Anyway, here are some of our favorite quotes from the movie, from tonight's viewing at least,...anyone care to share theirs?

*Violet: "I like George Bailey."
Mary: "You like every boy."
Violet: "Whats wrong with that?"

*George: "Hey, Hey Mary."

*George: "Wait a minute, what am I doing? This is a very interesting situation. A fella doesn't find himself in a situation like this every day, not in Bedford Falls anyway."

*Mary: "He's making violent love to me, mother."
Mary's mom: "Well you just tell him to go on home."

Christmas Card Picture

Every Christmas, since we've had children, I have tried to take a cute Christmas-y picture to put on our Christmas card. And every Christmas, it turns into a huge hassle. It doesn't make any sense to me why my children can take adorable pictures during the year doing random stuff, but when it comes to taking a Christmas card picture, it just doesn't happen. Here are some of this year's attempts.....

Confessions of a Facebook Junkie

I am too weak for Facebook.
For weeks, no, months, I have turned a blind eye to this truth and pretended that I could handle it. I could log out when I needed to, well, when I wanted to. I could resist logging on when I needed to, well, when I wanted to. It didn't distract me from more important things, well, not very often. I hadn't turned into a facebook stalker, well, at least not every day. See, I reasoned with myself, I can handle this. At some point in this conversation with myself though, I realized that I was doing some serious rationalizing and begin to doubt my *mastery* of facebook.
"Okay, okay, fine," I said to myself, "maybe I have some issues, but no worries, I'll fix it. I'll set limits." So I did and my self-imposed limits lasted for about a week and a half.
Last night, I was talking with Jared about some recent facebook drama, and I was hit with this crazy realization ~ I am spending half an hour descibing to my husband a conversation that occurred on facebook....on FACEBOOK! What am I doing? I became so frustrated with myself because I could see the absolute absurdity of it and yet here I was getting sucked back in.
So, I've decided to bite a huge bullet. No, I'm not deleting my account. There are several redeeming qualities to facebook like keeping in touch with family and sharing pictures and videoes en masse. What I am doing is asking Jared to keep me accountable by changing my password and keeping it a secret. If I want to log on, I'll have to go to him. Now, some people may sneer at this, and maybe they have good reason to do so. After all, it is rather sad that my facebook junkieness has reached such a level. However, I think that one of the hallmarks of wisdom is knowing your weaknesses and safeguarding yourself.

Play Laugh Grow

I love those Fisher*Price commercials. Something about the song and watching children have fun always makes me smile and become nostalgic. Two thumbs up to their marketing department.

Rach is constantly reminding me through her conversations and mannerisms that she is definitely moving on past her days of being a baby and fast becoming a little girl. I came into the den earlier this evening and found her painting her toenails on the couch. Seeing her wearing a t-shirt and jeans and focusing so intently as to not get any sparkly pink polish on her toes...wow, it is so true what they say about kids growing up so fast. I had to grab my camera and take lots of pictures.

One of those moments

I had one of those moments last night...those moments where I realize exactly how much my life has changed in the past 4 years, those moments where I'm reminded that yes, I'm very much a parent now. We stopped at a gas station on our way home from Johnny Ray's last night. Jared got out to pump the gas, and I glanced over at the red jeep grand cherokee beside us to find Wyatt Earp standing there pumping gas as well. I looked past him and saw Jessie the cowgirl from Toy Story sitting in the passenger seat. A few minutes later, a skeleton and Carrie Bradshaw walked out of the convenience store and climbed into the backseat. As I'm watching all of this, I hear Noah asking me what song was playing on the ipod and Rach say something to Isaac. The immense difference between our evening and the evening of the folks in the red jeep grand cherokee next to us was just laughable.
On another note, the children and I went "trick-or-treating" during the day yesterday. We all dressed up: Rach was a princess, Noah was a train engineer, Isaac was Winnie-the-Pooh, and I was a bridesmaid. As my friend Alice put it, my friends did say that I would be able to wear the dresses again someday! I did take a couple of pictures, but alas, I have left the camera in Jennifer's office at church, so I'll have to wait to post them.

Please go see Fireproof...

I went to see Fireproof last night with a group of ladies from church, and Jared and I are going to see it again tonight. This movie has a wonderful story, and I'm convinced that God is going to use it in a mighty way in many, many marriages. Here's a link to an interview with the Kendrick brothers on Family Life Today.
http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/FamilyLife_Today/archives.asp