The One Where I Say "Y'all" A Lot

I'm tired, y'all. This weekend has been a doosey for me. All good. All exhausting.

I'm thinking in random spurts, so this blog post will be nothing but.

Read no further...unless you are willing to subject yourself to an overdose of randomosity. Consider yourself warned.

1) I'm going to write this in numbered list form. It will bring the only semblance of order and organization to this post....it seemed necessary.

2) Tate is dealing with the Girl Pants drama remarkably well. He has overheard me a couple of times discuss the GP's, and is coping. I'm pretty much a loudmouth....the GP's weren't going to stay under wraps long. But, luckily, Tate is 4. Doesn't really understand the magnitude of his mama's decision to cross-dress him. And has since been seen wearing only the Ring Master's sequin vest and bow tie with his Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle undies. I'm now thinking that the Girl Pants are the least of our worries.

3) Our Little League Baseball Jamboree was Saturday. If you're new to these parts, then you haven't been exposed to my small obsession with baseball. Namely baseball that my kids play. I'm one of those climb-the-fence, lose my voice sports moms. I'm the mom that horrifies her kids when she screams things like "Sweetie" and "Baby" from the bleachers. I also am unopposed to saying ugly things if my sweetie babies' baseball skillz are questioned. So, aside from being out at the fields ALL FREAKIN' DAY....it was right up my alley. I could have done without the splotchy sunburn and Keaton having his b-ball picture made with blue lips thanks to the slushie he drank during Tate's game....but whatever.

4) Saturday night, Kirk and I went on a triple-date with some of our best buddies. We left the kids with a babysitter and headed out for a night on the town. Talking to grown-ups is so much fun....even when no one acts like one! (Had a great time, You Guys! Can't wait to do it again...soon!!!!)

5) I discovered while I was out with our friends that I must be the only one who watches useless tv. Conversations at dinner revolved around Glenn Beck, FoxNews, and political correctness. Uh....I used that time to stuff my face with the most delicious cheese dip in the world. These would be my "smart friends" that I was out with last night. I even everyone out by being the "friend who watches entirely too much reality tv and knows entirely too much about useless celebrity gossip." It takes all kinds.

6) After dinner, we headed to the mall. We were there with all the Jr. High kids who dress weird and are really pumped to be at the mall on a Saturday night. We girls drooled over Vera Bradley bags and tried on dresses. The men looked at baseball bats and frowned when we came out of Victoria's Secret empty-handed.

7) We discussed Britney Spears. And she still scares me. What scares me more is that I know a lot of her songs by heart.

8) Kirk and I flipped a coin this morning to see who was going to get to stay home with puney kids and who got to go to church. He stayed. I went.

9) My smart friends and I all were reminded of how old we are while we yawned our way through church. An 11:00 curfew proved to be too late for us old fogies....

10) I have discovered that Sawyer has mastered the Art of the Spit Wad. Excellent. Nothing else needs to be said about this little matter. Trust me.

11) Our small group at church spent the afternoon with a bunch of great underprivileged kids this afternoon for our service project. We feasted on hot dogs and those yummy frosted sugar cookies from WalMart that just kind of melt in your mouth. Oh my goodness. Cookie heaven. Then we had an Easter Egg Hunt, had a telling of the Easter Story, and then just played, visited, and ate more cookies. And I yawned a lot...because I'm old. Good day. Good people. Amazing Jesus.

12) I am positive that I remember the Bible mentioning that StarBurst Jellybeans exist in Heaven along with streets of gold. Because they are just. that. good.

13) Sawyer was the only one of my kids well enough to venture out of the house today, so I indulged myself in a little only-had-one-kid-hallelujah shopping after we left our project. Amazing that Sawyer can resist the urge to climb around in all the clothes racks when he is the only little person. I reminded him several times that I noticed this spectacular miracle. He rolled his eyes at me. I rolled mine back.

14) New flip flops always make me smile. I got a new pair today. Perfect for the 28 degree weather that is rolling in tomorrow! Global warming my foot.

15) While I was out today, I had to run by the auto parts store to buy new brake shoes for my van. (Look at me typing that like I have any idea what those are.) I was laughed at and mocked by the people who work there when I had to call Kirk on the phone and be the messenger between him and the sales clerk. How am I supposed to know if my van has anti-lock breaks or drums in the back? You can't tell me that I'm the only woman who finds the only thing remotely interesting about car maintenance is the fact that cars do indeed wear "shoes." Seriously.

16) I came home this afternoon to find that my sweet husband had done the laundry. I didn't even think he knew where the laundry room was. I just had to give him a big ole' kiss! And then I rewarded him further by allowing myself to take a nap while he helped my van try on her new shoes.

17) Y'all...he did the laundry!

18) I just got poked in the eye with a golf club. Just totally put a damper on my he-did-the-laundry high.

No. Nothing could squelch that joy. Because, y'all! He did the laundry!! :)

Randomness Run Amuck...In List Form (Because It Is the Only Piece of Organizational Heaven In My Week Thus Far)

(Should have warned you that you would have needed a snack and a bathroom break before starting in on that title...so sorry.)

On to listy goodness....

1) The plague is departing. Finally. Apparently our viral pharaoh has finally decided to let our people go. Hallelujah.

2) Because nothing ever good comes from everyone in a house being infected with the nasties, my house is gross. Not only is it germ gross, but it is 3 boys and a grouchy mom stuck in a house for 4 days straight gross. Not sure when time is going to stand still in order for me to clean it, but I'm working on it. Kinda.

3) Prom is this weekend. And I'm just a little freaked out. No normal 31 year old girl (is that how old I am?) should wake up with panic attacks about a high school prom. Good thing I'm not normal. Bad thing is that I am that girl. (For those of you who don't know....I lost my mind back in the Fall and agreed to be Prom Sponsor. And, yes, I am medicated....now.)

4) Dancing With the Stars made me blissfully happy when they brought Melissa back Monday night. Too bad her outfit was u.g.l.y.

I do have to say that Kirk smiled a little bigger when they announced the dancer replacing Jewel.

(Sorry for the picture with Hef...but seriously, I couldn't find another picture where she was wearing this many clothes.)

5) And what about American Idol? I already have my favorite. I have had him picked out since his audition, so it made my heart smile when Paula predicted last night that he gets to the finals.

This one, though....on my nerves.

6) I found a new favorite thing. So what if I ate an entire box at one sitting? And so what if I had bad breath for a day because of it? Whatev.

7) The English class that I sit in on in the mornings is reading A Raisin In The Sun. Let me tell you that I have never heard anything funnier than a bunch of countrified white kids reading that play. Still gigglin'.

8) And just because it irritated me, and I can't say anything in detail about it, but have to vent somewhere....someone was mean and ugly to one of my sweet friends today. I'm not one who comes unglued very often, but ya don't need to be messin' with my peeps. Thanks. Feel better.

9) Oh....almost forgot. I'm almost done with this....

Mah-va-lus, dahling. Mah-va-lus.

So I'm off to de-funk the house. Then off to take a Zanex before I have another prom attack.

25 Thing About Me

I’ve been tagged a gazillion times to do this meme (there’s that blog-erific word again!!), and am just now sitting down to do it. 25 random and interesting things about me? Really? I’m not even sure I could find 25 random and uninteresting things about me. We’ll see how this goes…..


1) I used to be terrified of dogs. No kidding. Like scream at the top of my lungs and climb my mom terrified. It was all caused by a little black poodle who got a little too friendly when I was a baby. Dadgum poodle. (Note….I am now only frightened by big scary dogs or dogs whose owners warn you to not “look them in the eye”….thanks, Lisa!)

2) I have a birthmark of the Hawaiian Islands on my left thigh.

3) I sing in the shower , and sometimes use my shampoo bottle as a microphone.

4) I secretly wish I could have another baby, and I have prayed that it would happen for us. (Don’t tell Kirk!)

5) I made a pact in Jr. High with my best friend to meet at the Sears Tower on 9-9-09 at 9:00 a.m. Haven’t talked to her in years. Still trying to decide if I should go or not. You think she’ll be there?!

6) My favorite food is Macaroni and Cheese. Lucky for my kids.

7) I am guilty of re-gifting…..often. *gasp*

8) I’m obsessed with Jon and Kate Plus 8.

9) I wore Mickey Mouse boxer shorts and a white tee-shirt under my high school graduation gown, and I walked across the stage barefooted. No heels and black dress for me….saved that for college.

10) I backed into a really pretty black camaro several years ago at Pizza Hut. The driver of the really pretty car? My ex-boyfriend. From Missouri. In my town in Arkansas…at my Pizza Hut. Anyone else see anything wrong with this picture?

11) I have a huge crush on Peyton Manning. Go Colts!

12) I hate to cook, but I love to bake.

13) I have only ever received one speeding ticket….shocking, really.

14) I worked for Long John Silver’s in high school. *shudder*

15) I didn’t get my driver’s license until I was almost 18.

16) My first major in college was Broadcast Journalism. I wanted to be a News Anchor.

17) The only surgery I have ever had was when I had my wisdom teeth out. Does that count?

18) I laugh when I’m nervous and upset. Thus the reason that I have laughed through all my children’s vaccinations. Really surprised that the nurses never called DHS on me.

19) I bite my nails.

20) Cinnamon scented candles make me nauseous.

21) I drank castor oil cocktails while pregnant trying to induce labor. Oh, yes, I did. Can still taste it in my mouth. So gross. Do not suggest it….at all….so not worth it.

22) I would have named my children “Emma Kate” had they been girls.

23) I want to be a contestant on Wheel of Fortune something fierce.

24) My fantasy vacation involves me, New York City, and an endless supply of cash. *drool*

25) I married one of my greatest friends from high school. I still pinch myself to see if I’m dreaming!

A Meme of Weird (and Superficial) Questions

Here is little meme (I still get all kinds of excited when I use that word. It makes me feel all techy and blog-er-ific!) that I ran across. Since I'm suffering from Sunday afternoon brain shut-down and blog-block....here goes....

1. If you could say anything you wanted to say to George Bush, what would you say? I would say "thanks." Thanks for being a President that, in the midst of great controversy, never wavered in his values or his character. I can't imagine being in a position so highly scrutinized and having to live day in and day out with constant criticism. I'm proud to be one of his supporters and have been thankful for him as the leader of our country. (Also realize that I might have just lost a few readers by that one statement. Also okay with that.)

2. If you had to be the mother of Britney Spears or Lindsay Lohan, who would you choose and why? I'd take 'em both. Bless their hearts. I think they just need some grounding and someone to love them.

3. You get to be Queen for a day. The kids are all taken care of, and you can spend as much money as you want. What do you do all day? I'm supposed to end war, right? No....I'm going to be much more superficial. I'd fly all my girlfriends to NYC to shop all day, with Stacy London (from What Not To Wear), and have full makeovers. Hair. Makeup. New Jimmy Choo shoes and Gucci bags. (Realizing fully that all of my girlfriends are like me and don't have ANYWHERE to wear Jimmy Choo shoes and carry Gucci bags....but whatever.) Then, in the evening...we'd all go to a Broadway showing of Phantom of the Opera....wearing our new shoes.

4. Is there a song that brings tears to your eyes every time you hear it? If so, which one? "When I Get Where I'm Going" by Brad Paisley. I loved this song from the first time I heard it, but it was sung at my grandpa's funeral....haven't been able to hear it without tearing up since. Love it.

5. A fairy taps you on the shoulder and tells you that you can either have a perfect face or a perfect body for the rest of your life. Which do you choose? Gosh...this is a superficial post. Oh well. I would go for a perfect body. I get tired of clothes not fitting right.

6. If you could live any place in the world and money was no object, where would you live and why? Toss up. Kirk's dream is to live in a beautiful cabin up in the mountains out West. I'd love that, too. I really would. Something about looking out your window and seeing snow covered mountains and clear blue waters....paradise. But, I'd love to live right on the beach somewhere. To step out of my backdoor and hit the sand....oh my goodness.

7. What is your biggest regret in life? I don't believe in regret. I believe that all the "bad stuff" are just stepping stones for lessons learned. But...I will say that one thing I do wish I had done (daily) is not having followed my true dream in college. I went the safe route and got an Education degree. I so wish I had followed my gut and went to nursing school. I was so terrified that I wouldn't be able to pass the classes that I wussed out. Now I'm stuck wanting so badly to go back to school to get my nursing degree and not being about to juggle the scheduling of it all. One day. One day.

8. If you could go back and visit one person in your life who is now dead, and ask one question, what would that question be and why would you ask it? I will not go into details here, out of respect for my family. But, I would speak in detail with my grandfather. There are some questions and situations that should have been addressed while he was alive. We all learned a lesson of not putting off what needs to be said today, just because it is more comfortable to avoid confrontation.

9. If you had the choice to age forward (like we are now) or aging backwards (think Benjamin Buttons) which would you choose and why? Weird question. Going to go with ageing forward like we do now. Who would choose the other way?

10. What will the epitaph on your headstone say? Kirk says that he will put, "A Beautiful Aggravation." Sweet, huh? Love you, too, Honey.


Okay....so these were some crazy questions. But, fun to think about....especially the makeovers! Let's go girls...I'm ready!! :)

Have I Ever.....

I've been clicking around on several blogs that I read and this nifty little meme (look...I'm using that groovy lil' word again!) keeps popping up everywhere! Being a follower by nature, it is only fitting that it pop up on mine, too!

The things that I've done are bolded. My comments are in green.

Have I Ever....

1. Started your own blog obviously
2. Slept under the stars provided the mosquitoes a tasty smorgasbord in the process.
3. Played in a band the rockin' middle school concert band....not the cool "I'm in a band" band
4. Visited Hawaii yep....very pretty. would like to go back as an adult though.
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world Disneyland...when I was little
8. Climbed a mountain climbed up the foothills of the Himalayas...does that count?
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris when I was about 12 and didn't appreciate it...want to go back
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea (from the beach) many a time
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch jewelry making....is that art?
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning so nasty....got it from rat poison in some baking powder...
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables ha! don't know if you can really call it "grown"
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train on a trip through India
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill no comment
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language had a terrible Spanish teacher in high school...so I taught myself enough to pass all my tests...does that count?
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing just one of those goofy rock wall things
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud grew up in Southeast Asia....hello....rainy season!
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business Nola Mae
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma got many a free tee-shirt for all my blood
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check next question, please
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy still have all my Barbies and Cabbage Patch Kids
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial twice....once as a kid. once as an adult. much better as an adult.
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt yes...several
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London saw the guards...can't remember if they were changing when we were there or not....
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book kind of....have a short story in a published book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible yes...even the Chronicles and Leviticus!
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating helped kill and prepare lots of chickens.....never killed a deer, but have prepared lots of 'em
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous hung out with Jimmy Carter when he visited our church in Thailand.....he's famous, right?
92. Joined a book club claimed to have joined Oprah's once upon a time....didn't even finish the book though...I don't think this counts.
93. Lost a loved one too many to list
94. Had a baby 3
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

Thanks, Stephanie. This was fun! If you want to play along....I want to read your list, too! Let me know!!

Yes, No, and Some Longer Answers

I've started this post 4 times....nothing is workin' for me tonight. I think I'm too tired. I've had nothing but 3 hours sleep each of the past 3 nights. And last night's 3 hours don't count, because this insanely loud thunderstorm kept waking me up....





So, because I really want to post something new, but because I have reached beyond my capabilities of any type of creativity tonight, I'm going to steal this meme (I just learned what that word means today, by the way, so I feel super-techno using it here) and call it a night....

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Depends what is going in 'em. If it wraps easy...it is wrapping paper for sure...but only the good kind from Hobby Lobby. If I can't wrap it without it looking like Tate did it....gift bag for sure.

2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial....always artificial. No mess and no sneezing.

3. When do you put up the tree? Whenever I can get the husband to get the boxes down from the attic...usually the week after Thanksgiving.

4. When do you take the tree down? Last year it was the end of January....yes, I'm one of those people.

5. Do you like eggnog? Gross.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? Toss up between the me-size Raggedy Andy doll or my wicker Barbie furniture.

7. Hardest person to buy for? My mom. So hard to wrap up that "Just want everyone to be healthy and happy" that she asks for each year.

8. Easiest person to buy for? Myself....my mother-in-law has me buy my own presents and wrap them for her....works for me.

9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes....a handcrafted one made in Thailand.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail...definitely.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? A tube of toothpaste from my sweet Aunt Fay...probably one of the most hysterical Christmas memories ever. I think my cousin got Denture Cream. *my sister just commented and said that she thought it was actually hemorrhoid cream that my cousin got....that's even better than the denture cream! HA!*

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Ooooo...love Christmas movies. Not sure much beats watching the 7 day marathon of "A Christmas Story" though.....love the leg lamp.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Week of Thanksgiving....never before.

14 . Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yes, but it wasn't the toothpaste.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Chocolate covered pretzels and Chex Mix.

16. Lights on the tree? Of course. White...always white.

17. Favorite Christmas song? Religious....Emmanuel. Secular.....Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Home? You mean people really do that? Our little family has NEVER had Christmas in our own home.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Probably...but, I'll need to sing the song for help.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Depends on whose house we're at. My mom is worse than the kids about waiting and ours end up being opened Christmas Eve. Kirk's parents are sticklers for the Christmas morning thing.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? The emphasis and stress on gift-giving.

23. Favorite ornament theme or color? No theme....see here.

24. What do you want for Christmas this year? I'm supposed to say that I don't want anything, right? I'd be lieing. I want one of those flash drive things that you can plug in and get wireless internet access through any cell phone tower you are near (I should probably know the name of that, shouldn't I? Way too tired to look it up tonight, too....)

Fun stuff....

Merry Christmas!

Thankful

Here is my "WHAT I'M THANKFUL FOR" list.....

The love of my precious husband.

Happy days filled with laughter and love.

All the minutes that I've been mother (even the ones that included dirty diapers and throw-up).

Neverending support and encouragement from my friends and family.

Kisses from my fellas (love that they love their mama).

Stuff (we have so much of it...we are so blessed).

Good friends (can't imagine life without you).

Inspiration given by my church, friends, and family.

Very amazing parents (my heroes, for sure).

Independence...so blessed to have my freedom.

Never having to doubt God's love for me or my security in Him.

Grace

So blessed. So thankful. So amazed.

Around the World and Back Again...

My parents are getting ready to move....again. This time, supposedly, it is for keeps. My dad is retiring in December and they are going "home." Home to them is where they both grew up and where my grandparents have always lived. So, despite my great efforts to have them move near us (i.e. HELP ME WITH THEIR ROWDY GRANDKIDS), they are moving there in just a few short months. They've already found a house and are in that whole process of signing papers, boxing up their house, and trying to sell the house they are in now.

My parents moving isn't weird for me. Moving is just what they do. It is what we have ever done. What is weird for me about their whole transition is that this really probably is the last house they will live in. That never happens with our family.... The thought that my parents are going to be "settled" -- completely foreign concept.

My dad blogged a few days back about this whole transition period for them. Then, my sister went and did the same thing. Now I guess it is my turn....

My life has been nothing but one huge transition period. As a kid, we were always moving. Always experiencing something new. In fact, in the time that I've been married to Kirk, I've experienced more stability (as far as location) than I have in my whole life. I have lived longer in my house now, than I ever lived in a house as a kid. So bizarre. I have no idea what it is like to be one of those people that never moved out of their childhood home until it was time to go to college. My family never had door posts marked with the growing heights of me and my sister. And although my parents have TONS of stuff, it is all packed in boxes (ready for the next move), not stuffed in the corners of attics or the depths of a storage building.

I'm sure my math is going to be off by some, but I'm going to give it a shot....

In my lifetime:

• I have lived in 3 different countries.
• I have lived in 3 different states.
• I have lived in 8 different cities (overseas and here in the US).
• I have lived in 15 different houses (some weren't technically houses...one was a motel, one a guest house, one a dorm room, and one my grandma's house!).
• I have been to 24 states (including Hawaii) and Washington D.C.
• I have been to 14 countries (more if you can count only landing in the airport).
• I have been to 3 continents (more if you count the airports!)
• I have been to villages where the floors of the huts are made of mud, cow dung is used as firewood, and we ate our dinner (with our hands) off of banana leafs.
• I have seen the Eiffel Tower, the Taj Mahal, and Mt. Everest.
• I have learned 3 different languages (4 if you count Spanish in highschool...I really don't)
• I have ridden elephants, seen cock fights (legal overseas!!), and had snake charmers charm their cobras in my driveways.
• I have ridden in taxis, rickshaws, mini-buses, tuk-tuks, vans, cars, buses, trucks, small one engine planes, and huge jumbo jets.
• I have been homeschooled, attended 2 International schools, 2 U.S. public schools, and 1 Baptist University.
• I've had friends from every country imaginable.

My list could go on and on.

Looking over the list and thinking over what all my life has held...I'm extremely thankful for all my life experiences. They are just a part of me...nothing that I think about on a daily basis, because to me they are not that exotic. Other people are fascinated by the things I've been able to do and see. Me? Not really. Just grateful. Just grateful that in my parents answering a call to be obedient to the Lord, they were able to provide my sister and I with an incredible gift.

(Now here is my disclaimer...I totally stole this list thing from my sister's blog....Thanks, Mich!)

Now I Know My ABC's....

Found this list and it looked like fun. Also, like so many of my blog buddies (LISA!!!), because I love lists so much, I thought I needed to add it on. Plus, I'm having blogger block, so this is good stuff!


A -- Available? Been officially taken for almost 11 years now.

B -- Best Friend? Jesus. If we are talking humans....my husband. If you want an answer past that....I have lots of really great friends. Thing is though, they are all "best" in different areas. Love my friends so much! You know who you are!

C -- Crush? I have a huge crush on this guy named Kirk. I've been trying to get his attention by doing crazy stalkerish stuff like washing his underwear and cleaning his bathroom. :)
(If you want to know...Peyton Manning of the Colts makes me extremely giddy! Not washing his undies though!)

D -- Dad's Name? Jim. Or James. Or Jimmy Dale. Or Poohpa. I happen to call him Dad.

E -- Easiest Person to Talk To? Going to give that one to my friend, Leanne H.

F -- Favorite Band? MercyMe is still my #1 fav.

G -- Gummy Bears or Gummy Worms? Bears....they're cuter.

H -- Hometown? Which one? I usually go with Poplar Bluff, Missouri, when asked this question....but, my REAL hometown would probably be Harrison, Arkansas. I've moved so much...it's hard to keep up.

I -- Instrument? I played the piano and flute when I was younger. Now I play the radio really well.

J -- Job? I get a paycheck by working at a highschool in the Special Ed. department, but I still claim my job as being a mom and wife to my family. That is certainly my priority.

K -- Kids? No brainer if you've kept up with this blog at all. 3 boys + 1 husband = 4 kids

L -- Longest Car Ride? Any car ride that involves one of my kids throwing up in the backseat. Doesn't matter how long the mileage actually is...if there is puke involved....it wins, hands down.

M -- Milk Flavor? White.

N -- Number of Siblings? 1 big sister -- Michele

O -- One Wish? That my children grow up to be respectful, God-fearing, servant-hearted men.

P -- Phobias? Frogs...don't ask. Too disturbing to discuss.

Q -- Favorite Quote? "Cleaning your house while your kids are still growing is like shoveling snow before it stops snowing." -- Phyllis Diller. (This one always makes me feel better!)

R -- Reason to Smile? Because I'm so blessed.

S -- Song You Last Heard? the "Ghostbusters" theme song...thanks to the boys

T -- Time You Woke Up? This morning? 5:00 a.m. (ugh.) From my nap which I had to take because I woke up at 5:00? 5:45 p.m.

U -- Unknown Fact About Me? I have a birthmark in the shape of the Hawaiian islands on my left thigh. Seriously.

V -- Vegetable? Potatoes! (Are they veggies?)

W -- Worst Habits? Not putting the clean laundry away after it has been folded & leaving a load of clothes in the washer too long that I have to go back and rewash them. Why are both of my bad habits about laundry...geez.

X -- X-Rays You've Had? 1. Last year I had my abdomen x-rayed to check for appendicitis....came back clean. 2. CT scan....that is a strange little procedure. 3. Mammograms... {Never had any broken bones, so no x-rays there}

Y -- Your Favorite Food? Today my favorite food is that Bacon Ranch pizza from the Pizza Shack that I ate yesterday...yummy!

Z -- Zoos or Aquariums? Zoos. I like animals with fur and legs.

35 Things

I'm back on-line now--after my much needed e-break--but I was struggling with what to write about, since nothing really eventful has happened this weekend. Then I read Meredith's blog and thought this list looked fun! Thanks, Mer!

35 Odd Things About Me

1. Do you like blue cheese salad dressing? Never tried it...can't bring myself to try something with the words blue and cheese in the same name. You won't convince me otherwise, so don't try.

2. Do you own a gun? Personally, no. But, we have lots in our house. Thanks to my husband's gun fetish...nothing creepy though.

3. What's your favorite drink at Starbucks? Tall low-fat caramel mocha latte. I think I got that right...been a long time since I've ordered StarBucks. Wonders of living in small town USA.

4. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Diet Dr. Pepper

5. Do you do pushups? Only if you are talking about pushing a Diet Dr. Pepper up towards my mouth.

6. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? My diamond pendant from my sweet hubby.

7. Favorite hobby? Scrapbooking

8. Do you have A.D.D? I don't think so. Wait, what was the question?

9. What's one trait that you hate about yourself? That I'm not more assertive.

10. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment: What should I write for this answer? Wonder why Tate is so quiet? I wish my house was clean.

11. Name 4 drinks you regularly drink. Diet Dr. Pepper / Diet Dr. Pepper with Pineapple from Sonic / Sugar-Free Grape Kool-Aide / Water (but only if I don't have access to the above 3)

12. Current worry right now? I need to start saving for Christmas, but not sure where that will fit in the budget.

13. Current hate right now? Bills

14. Favorite place to be? Anywhere my family is. I'm not picky.

15. Do you like to travel? Oh, so much. Want to go now!!!

16. What color shirt are you wearing? Light blue

17. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? No...I always lose my pillow and they are too cold.

18. Can you whistle? You betcha

19. Favorite color? Periwinkle

20. If you could would you be a pirate? I'm going to go with no, but I think the eye patches and earrings are awfully groovy.

21. What song do you sing in the shower? Usually whatever country song just woke me up on the clock radio.

22. Favorite girl's name? Emma. What our daughter would be named, had we had one!

23. Favorite boy's name? Keaton, Sawyer, and Tate...of course! If I were to have another boy, I think I'd name him Micah.

24. What's in your pocket right now? The receipt from Walgreens. Went there to buy a newspaper after church today.

25. Favorite bedsheets as a child? I think I had Holly Hobby sheets....or were those my knee socks..hmmmmmm...

26. Worst injury? All the injuries after my car wreck in high school. Nothing major though...what I remember is a brutal black eye that earned me the name "Petey" at school (you know...the dog from Little Rascals).

27. Do you love where you live? I'm happy here. Love? Debatable.

28. How many TVs do you have in your house? Two that work, two that don't.

29. Who is your loudest friend? No way...not going there.

30. How many pets do you have? Two--Ozzie, our lazy dog, and Indiana Jones, our lazier cat

31. Does someone have a crush on you? Hoping that my husband does.

32. What is your Favorite Book? Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers

33. What's your favorite candy? Almond Joy candy bars

34. Favorite Sports Team? Arkansas Razorbacks (even though they stink right now), St. Louis Cardinals, and Indianapolis Colts

35. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up? Why am I still wearing my glasses? (I'm actually shocked they made it through the night on my face...I fell asleep watching SNL--love Tina Fey as Sarah Palin!!!)

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things -- minus the whiskers on kittens

I had a rather difficult day at work today...nothing major, just some hard moments to swallow. So, in honor to one of my most favorite movies, The Sound of Music, I have been trying to think about some of "My Favorite Things..." (although I'm not scared, just blah).

Here are a few:

1. Waking up early to do my quiet time, completely sleepy eyed and fumbly fingers, only to come away refreshed and awake after just a few moments with the Word.
2. The way that Kirk always says, "You're my favorite." (Insert "Ahhhhhhh...." here).
3. The note that Keaton wrote me (totally unprompted) telling me how much he is thankful that God allowed me to be his mom.
4. Sawyer's sweet crooked smile and the way he always wants to give me extra hugs and kisses...he is not embarrassed to be seen huggin' on his mama!
5. Tate's precious face. I could stare at him forever.
6. Mocha Caramel Cappuccinos
7. Watching my kids play baseball (I would be a crazy fan mom even if my kids were playing badminton or shuffleboard, but baseball is my favorite!).
8. My mom's mashed potatoes (no one can make them like her...believe me, we've tried).
9. The morning news
10. The color periwinkle ( I always just say "blue" when asked, because otherwise I sound like I'm making Blues Clues references)
11. Almond Joy candy bars (I hate almonds....odd that my favorite candy bar has them coated in chocolate...huh.)
12. Crisp Fall weather when I can finally bust out my favorite denim jacket and my "hooker" boots (as my bro-in-law, Kev, so lovingly refers to them)
13. Friends (I was one of the few that was happy when Ross and Rachel got back together...I always knew they would!) -- and, yes, I can make anything into a Friends reference.
14. My blankie -- that's right, I have a blankie -- only mine is soft,white, and fuzzy, not emblazoned with a white bunny or a Precious Moments character
15. Camping...never thought I would say that, but after our trip this summer, I am officially an "outdoorsey" girl...now all I need is one of those cool The North Face jacket vests.
16. Football (watching, not playing) -- Whoo Pig Sooie, Go Razorbacks! *I also have a huge crush (a fully disclosed one to my husband) on Peyton Manning, so, Go Colts!
17. Reality TV -- Big Brother is on this summer, and I'm completely absorbed with that. I'm not sure why I like it, because it is like a train wreck...so completely horrible, but I just can't keep from watching. I'm very excited about the upcoming season of Survivor though!
18. Having the time to curl up and read a great book...I can't stand not having the time to thoroughly enjoy the book...I'd rather not read it at all.
19. Baking. I hate cooking, but love baking. If it involves sugar, I'm in.
20. Blogging and FaceBooking -- I had no idea what I was missing before I was sucked into this whole CyberWorld of Connectivity. I'm all about "networking" now (I don't even know what that means, but assume it applies to me)!
21. Old Navy tee-shirts...I don't think there is anything better.
22. The lake...I seriously could stay on the lake for every second of the rest of my life and not complain. I love everything about it.
23. Eating at The Olive Garden...can you hear my stomach growling from where you're sitting?
24. The smell of rain
25. Daisies and Sunflowers
26. The Old Testament...the stories of the Moses and Joshua leading the Israelites are my favorite (I like to know that there is hope for me to make it to the Promised Land, even with all my wandering in the desert and feeling like all I do is ram my head into cacti! -- seriously!)
27. Eating pancakes at about 10:30 a.m. -- they don't taste as good early in the morning!
28. A fresh box of crayons -- I really enjoy the box that has the sharpener in the back!
29. Doing laundry...but only if my house is clean.
30. Sharing butterfly kisses with my fellas...especially Tate (he thinks you have to bat your eyelashes directly in the eye of the other person...it isn't a pleasant feeling, but he is just so darn cute when he does it!)

I could keep this list going and going and going, but I'll stop at 30. As I glance back over the list, I have so much to be thankful for...

I'm truly blessed. I'm already feeling better...thanks, Fraulein Maria. Now I guess all I need is a dress made out of curtains and I will be on Cloud Nine!

I've Been Tagged...

I've been tagged!! Thanks, Jennifer!

Here are the answers to the questions...

1. If you could inherit a comfortable home in any city in the world that you could use, but not sell, where would you want it to be? Definitely out West somewhere. I would love to be able to be in the mountains. Maybe Wyoming -- somewhere in the Tetons.

2. If you could be instantly fluent in one other language that you currently do not read or speak, which would it be? Why? My high school and college Spanish teachers would want me to say Espanol, but I think I would choose Italian...so romantic.

3. If you were given an hour to spend an unlimited amount of money in any store in the world where would it be? Oh, if I was shopping for clothes...it would have to be Banana Republic! Love that store! If I was shopping for the house...Pottery Barn!

4. If you had to give your children to the care of someone famous, whom would you pick? Well, it wouldn't be Brad and Angelina!! What a hard question! I honestly have no idea...oddly enough the only person that is coming to mind is First Lady Laura Bush...that is so weird.

5. If you could cast an actor now alive to play you in a new film, what kind of film would it be and whom would you choose? Reese Witherspoon. I think she is quirky enough to play me. I'm sure it would be a romantic comedy...can't imagine myself in anything else.

6. If you could have an elegant dinner alone with anyone presently alive, whether you know them or not, who would you want it to be? I would pick my husband. In fact, it doesn't even have to be elegant...just dinner alone!!!!

7. If you could resolve any single dispute, anywhere in the world what would you solve? I would have everyone lay off of our President. I get so tired of hearing people bash him. I happen to have a lot of respect for Mr. Bush, and get so tired of the lack of understanding people give our leader.

8. If you were instantly able to play one musical instrument perfectly that you have never played before, what would it be? I would love to be able to play the drums!

There you go....

My turn! STEPH & MICH -- Tag!