Perfect Imperfection

favorite boys

2012-02-24T11:10:00.000-05:00

I wanted to share a set of pictures that are choking me up on this dreary, rainy Friday morning.

Two of my favorite boys.

Roger and Bennett.

Even though their appearances are totally opposite, they seem to be cut from the same two year old cloth.

Roger, like Bennett, is in love with trucks and tractors. He can name every single one.

When Roger walks in our door, the world comes to a quick stop. Jeff and Bennett want a piece of this little guy. They pull out the tractors, trains, books, even the real tractor.

I remember like it was yesterday, holding my two year old in our swivel rocking chair, as he named with great detail, all the machinery in his board book.

Can I say it again?

Time sure does pass in a blink of an eye.

Sniff, sniff....

pull yourself together old woman!

On another note, our weekend plans will involve the 20 12 YMCA Winter Championship. Sounds pretty fancy for a State meet. We were thrilled both girls had times that qualified for State. Saturday morning at 4:30 am, we will join 545 other swimmers for two days of swimming.

Have I mentioned, I think Mary Claire rocks a swim cap and goggles? Every single time I see her decked out in swim gear, I have to giggle. That face is priceless.

this turning 40

2012-02-23T08:10:00.000-05:00

It's been strange, this turning 40. Knowing it was coming has quickly become a source of anxiety. Crazy, I know! While I realize, logically, that it is just another day, I have surprised myself by getting caught up in the symbolism of what 40 means. Lately, I have found myself reflective, anxious, excited, depressed, optimistic, and grateful all at the same time. Aging is suddenly of real interest to me. I can see wrinkles around my eyes and the grey hair... well, I've been dealing with grey for a decade. I’ve become a master at covering it up. But, the grey, it's coming faster. It's all truly unnerving! But, I’m happy, healthy and know I am amazingly blessed. If only I could buy into the idea, wrinkles are the markers of experience and wisdom.

One neat tidbit... my husband and I are almost 10 years apart. For the next little while, we will share the 40's together.

So about my birth, DAY; it was fabulous! Talk about feeling special! So many sweet and special people went above and beyond to make my big 4-0 feel extra special! A few highlights... warning: Lately, my personal picture taking has been on the weak side. Also, you may want to grab a bite after all the food pictures or roll your eyes at the gluten free talk.

Over the weekend, we enjoyed a family get together with some of my favorite people. My mom is always extra thoughtful when it comes to my aging, fragile diet. My birthday cake was gluten free coconut snowballs. My goodness, my gracious! She made enough to freeze the leftovers... yeah, well... They were amazing and a dozen were devoured over three days! My traditional birthday meal (also prepared by my mother) was Shrimp and Grits. My sister added a spinach salad that was to die for. Note to self; call her today for the dressing recipe.

40 brought lots and lots of cakes. On my 40 things by 40 list, I was planning to include; It is a hundred times harder to burn calories than to consume them. I don't even want to know my caloric intake over the past few days. Jeff brought home not one, but two GF ice cream cakes. Real fattening, spare no calories, dump on the pecans and carmel ice cream! My oh my! Only half way gone and we all agree... these guys must leave our house at once...

My sweet friend Amy, who has to be one of the most thoughtful people I know, sent this beautiful cake... made of flowers. It's beautiful and sitting on my desk making me happy.

I spent my b'day morning with another group of favorite people, my Bible study group. I walked in (late of course) to lots of happy birthdays, even the happy birthday song. Then, I joined Jeff for the best Thai food in South Carolina. Hands down, this is my favorite gluten free dish.

I spent the rest of my afternoon with my sweet kids. They wished me happy birthday a few dozen times, with lots of hugs and a stack of homemade cards, which I LOVE!

My evening... well, it was spent with another group of my favorite people... My GA girls. They welcomed me with this sign. They insisted I wear it around my neck. Imagine me, wearing this big sign around my neck. It brought giggles from fellow adults.

Stephen and Crystal surprised the GA girls with a birthday cake and balloons. Stephen delivered the goods, my sister was home with a sudden case of the stomach bug!

My BIG gift? Well, it's not here yet, but I feel sure it's on the way ;) Because I have dropped some major hints like... I sure would like a new boat and We really need a new boat. So when it pulls into my driveway, I'll let you know. It may be 20+ years, but a girl can dream! In the meantime, I can't wait to figure out my new Kindle Fire. I wanted to share a few more sweet, sentimental birthday gifts.

I love my new cutting board from the Smoak family.

A book I've been itching to read.

Thanks mom!

An old Brownie camera from Papa Gene. I LOVE it!

My small collection of vintage cameras is growing!

And these for my kitchen.

They should arrive today.

A big thank you to everyone for the sweet wishes! I'm finishing my list of 40 things. I'm stumped on the last 5. Maybe I'll post 35 at 40 ;)

'almost' 40

2012-02-21T11:55:00.000-05:00

Well folks, my 40th birthday is officially hours away. {sniff-sniff} Some people dread turning the big 4-0.

Well, I'm one of them. I'll be spending the day celebrating 39!

My blog friend Jen ,who also recently turned 40, wrote the neatest post! She posted 40 thoughts at 40. I started thinking.... about everything I have learned in my 40 years. How wiser am I, really? {insert a ah ha moment} So, for the last several evenings, I've been thinking / pouring over my own list 40! It's amazing even though I'm not a fan of 40, yet. I wouldn't trade it for 20, no way!

Here's my first 20, in no particular order.

1. Loving God with everything in us... is the key to 'the good life.'

2. God is always listening, be careful what you think :)

3. Keep a journal. (You’re looking at mine.) I once read, "Your life is a story and only you can tell it."

4. Honesty is profoundly important. Honesty, at the most simple level, is telling the truth, not lying. It’s incredibly important to be honest, and it’s hurtful when you’re not.

5. I really didn’t need algebra! (but please do not tell my sophomore)

6. If I read the book, never see the movie. Disappointment guaranteed!

7. All that soul mate stuff... really is true. I thank God, the first time was a charm. I married a good guy!

8. Run / Exercise everyday! It’s good for the mind. It’s good for the soul!

9. Drink water. Lots of it. If only I could completely give up the diet drinks. Maybe by 50.

10. When you have the opportunity to lead someone to Christ, it's vital... do it... take the opportunity immediately... share the Holy Spirit.

11. Junk food really is junk food.

12. My mother really DID know best. It may take years and years, but I pray my kids will say the same.

13. I like to have a plan. Even if it is last minute. Plans are good!

14. Try, try, try... everyday... to practice what you preach. Lead by example, it's harder than you think!

15. Some things are worth a little extra money; like Apple computers, good make up, real Windex and high thread count bed sheets.

16. My car will always be a mess and the laundry will never done. Period. But, I will count my blessings everyday.

17. Time take and listen. It can mean everything.

18. Being able to hug someone after they have puked on you, is love.

19. Humility is a blessing. Don't be afraid to live a transparent life. Pretending to be perfect... does not make you perfect.

20. You can make a living doing what you love. Hard works pays off and tax time will always stink!

love thoughts

2012-02-19T09:01:00.001-05:00

A few more Valentine thoughts... the seasons seem to be melting away!

My poor guy caught quite a bit of slack over the oil change. Thank goodness for his great since of humor! Valentine's night we had a little dinner theme... 'burnin love' My kids called it, "Plain weird."

We made heart smores, enjoyed dinner outside...

and finally burned the Christmas trees.

how's that for southern stereotypes ;)

Our GA's made a Valentine visit to the local nursing home.

WHAT a blessing!

I am absolutely in love with the Bible study of James. It's powerful.

I finally found a GF sandwich bread I love!!

Siri... gotta love her! This is a message I sent via Siri to our youth paster about small group food... How Siri got 'the food' and turned it into 'the duffy' is beyond me! Thank goodness for great senses of humor! Either or, "I'm bringing the Duffy!"

a blessing today

2012-02-16T12:35:00.000-05:00

~Blessed~

1. the act or words of one that blesses

b: Approval, Encouragement

2. a thing conducive to happiness or good welfare

A sweet friend and my sweet sister blessed my day today with their incredible thoughtfulness! Thoughtfulness means the world to me. My friend Tara knows, among all my issues ;) , I have some major food issues. She made a special trip to a gluten free cafe - just for me. Isn't that just insanely sweet?! I enjoyed a slice of mocha cheese cake that brought tears to my eyes. Out of all my forbidden foods, I miss pies and cakes the most. And the kale salad - I too, must find the recipe.

Thank you Tara for your sweet, thoughtful blessing today!

Not to mention, I got some time with this little guy! Talk about a face you could eat!

Happy Birthday, Tripp!

Another thoughtful blessing before 10 am; my sweet sister came bearing gifts! My favorite morning drink and my favorite baby niece!

What nice way to start your day!

My nieces and nephew's Valentine gift for their daddy. Would it be bad to edit out daddy... and replace with aunt Heidi? Or aunt Pammy?

buckle your seatbelt

2012-02-15T15:54:00.004-05:00

OK... get ready to eat your heart out blog-friends! I'm going to tell you just HOW insanely romantic my husband was last night...

Buckle your seat belts... And don't think for a second your husband has mine beat! nope. Not this year!

After a (home-cooked, by yours truly) Valentine dinner with the kids, I was looking forward to some romantic alone time. Just time together, curled up on the coach, maybe a movie... just time with my main squeeze. Gifts are sweet, but I love time.

He tucked the smallest in bed.
Came downstairs

And announced he was going to his shop to change my oil. Not metaphorically 'change my oil' (snicker) He literally spent Valentine's night changing the oil in my car.

I got my alone time. My all alone time. I finished my Bible study homework and my husband changed my oil. Goodnight.

He better be glad he's sweet and good-looking and I love him from head to toe.

And he better drop to his knees and thank his lucky stars my lesson in James this week was this very verse:

Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry James 1:19

Thanks James!

Then again, how many wives can say they literally had their oil changed on Valentine's night.

make me smile

2012-02-14T15:39:00.000-05:00

It's Valentine's Day... and a good excuse to get mushy, smoochy with my sweethearts.

"You make me smile" has been my husband's ringtone forever.

Every time my phone rings, and it is him, I smile .

Except the sing like a bird part, it's so corny, but so true!

You're better than the best! And I love you to pieces... from head to toe, I couldn't love you an ounce more!

Happy Valentine's Day to my sweet husband!

A few of the lyrics for my mini-valentine's

Just the thought of you can drive me wild... OH yeah! In good ways and bad, you can drive your mom wild. He knows it's true ;) I love you to the moon and back!

You make me dance like a fool, forget how to breathe...our dancing wild child, we sometimes can't get enough of you! and sometimes we can ;)

I see the best of me inside your eyes... even though I don't share those beautiful eyes. We are so much alike. I love my sweet bird!

valentine's

2012-02-13T20:03:00.000-05:00

Making Valentine's with my 'little-est' sweetheart

and of course having a sentimental moment,

These days, Jeff and I find ourselves constantly commenting on how fast time flies.

I'm guessing, I have been making Valentine's with my children for about 13-14 years now...
This year, besides the tags, Mary Claire made her Valentine's all by herself.

Only a few years left... three to be exact.

I am going to 'love' every moment.

medication may be in my future ;)

sniff-sniff

valentine gift

2012-02-13T12:41:00.001-05:00

My Valentine couldn't wait.
He knows me so well.

He knows that I love him to the moon and back. And he knows the love I have for gadgets, especially my iPhone camera...

{I am totally in love with this}

It's a camera.

It's an Rangefinder iPhone case.

With attachable lens.

Plus attachment points for a cute strap.

Take pictures like this...

He bought it HERE

My man is so thoughtful! Lots of smooches coming his way!

{neat iPhone sites}

10-quick-iphone-photography-tips

14-must-have-apps-for-the-iphone-photographer

sexy diet

2012-02-11T05:29:00.000-05:00

On Friday, the TODAY show called a gluten-free diet

"The Crazy Sexy Diet"

REALLY? sexy?A gluten free diet does make me feel great! (and sometimes a little crazy!) But, never sexy.

I have used some choice words to describe this thing called a gluten free diet... most of them mean-girl words, because I don't have a choice. But never has the adjective sexy crossed my mind.

In my perfect world... when I think SEXY food, I think chocolate chunk cookies, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, coconut cake, blueberry pie topped with ice cream, rich creamy Pasta Alfredo... not buckwheat bread.

underbaraclara

Never knew I should be feeling sexy when I order a salad and everyone else orders sandwiches? Have I been feeling sexy and didn't even know it? Well, now I know. That sad, empty feeling I get when I pass on the gooey pancakes ... is really what 'feeling sexy feels like.' Thanks Matt Lauer!

At least most M&M's are Gluten Free.

They can be sexy? Right?

(my favorite Super Bowl commercial)

HELL-TH

2012-02-10T08:22:00.001-05:00

I love it when my big kids make me laugh so hard on the inside it hurts...

Here's a little conversation...

between Anna Katherine and Bennett and me

"AK, how was your day?"

{Insert saucer size eyes}

"MOMMA, we had health today!!"

" Today? You have health everyday."

"No TODAY we had HEALTH... You know HELL-TH. You signed the paper. Remember?"

{Insert bigger saucer size eyes}

I probed, give me some details, I love details. Honestly not a bit worried. I trust our school completely. I'm sure the curriculium is age appropriate, I just want some details. (She blushed) Today, a local doctor (maybe an OBGYN, she wasn't sure) was in class talking about 'girl stuff.' And ~ She brought pictures. Real ones. It was boggling the seventh graders mind HOW they got these pictures. WHO would pose for such things. Maybe while they were under anesthesia? I'm laughing so hard... on the inside!

I called upstairs to Bennett, my 16 year old. Who is engrossed in a book and wants to completely avoid even putting forth the effort to answer questions from his mom...

"Bennett, have you taken health?"

"I don't remember.... "

"You remember Bennett!"

"OH, in the 7th grade? You mean HELL-TH?

Oh yeah, I had HELL-TH."

Funny thing... I clearly remember taking HELL-TH in middle school, too!"

excuses, excuses

2012-02-09T11:06:00.002-05:00

This week, I've been a slack blogger. I offer excuses ;)

This entire (work) week has felt out of whack... something about having Monday off... makes Tuesday feel like Monday, Wednesday feel like Tuesday... know what I mean?
Plus, allergies are beginning to make their springtime appearance in the Graves house. The symptoms so far...not so-so bad. It's the medication-sedation that stinks.

I am also taking the Beth Moore JAMES, bible study. It is AMAZING! Beth Moore studies are homework-driven and I'm a homework junkie. Our session leader is doing an amazing job leading the class through the homework in the most comprehensive way. I can't recommend this study enough. Topics include; Social justice, joy, hardship, faith, reversal of fortunes for rich and poor, wisdom, gifts from above, single-mindedness, the dangers of the tongue, humility, and prayer. POWERFUL is an understatement.

ALSO, through a blog, then another blog and another blog... I came across this blog. oh my. I haven’t been able to stop reading. It touched on two of my strongest fears, over the span of three months.

So... long overdue, here's a peek at our winter mini-vacation. Mary Claire has been on her head to snow ski. The big kids went in January. So this trip was ‘her turn.’ We headed to North Carolin where the temperatures were in the.... uuhh, high 60‘s. Yeah, a strange feeling sweating while your surrounded by snow. It was all man made snow, of course. To me the perfect mushy consistency.

Mary Claire absolutely LOVED it. Didn’t want to stop, begged to stay a week. And amazingly remembered so much from her last ski school session.

She could stop, go, turn... so was able to skip ski school, woo-hoo!

Thanks to Anna Katherine. She was so sweet to help her sister.

One thing she forgot to master... getting UP after a fall.

MC was feeling confident. Maybe over confident. So with a helmet, she attempted a larger slope with her sister... It was pant-wetting hilarious watching her fly down the hill with absolutely NO control! She made it three-fourths of the way on skis, and the rest on her bottom. (A quick clip below... big hill, then bunny slope)

The day started warm, but by night fall it was COLD. My choice in snow shoes was a FAIL! My feet are just not thawing out ;)

This video is a reminder of how desperately I need to use a real video camera. Quality stinks.

pooped

2012-02-07T07:49:00.000-05:00

(warning, this post contains graphic art work.)

I am pooped today.

Kittyboy does his do

Pooped in a good kind of pooped way. The kids have been on winter break, five days that felt more like 10. We enjoyed a little skiing, a little shopping and a whole lot of painting. (More to come.) For now, I'm loving two pieces of 8year old art work I stumbled on this weekend.

"It's just two giraffes.

A mommy with her baby."

coastal point of view

2012-02-05T12:27:00.000-05:00

Friendship is such a beautiful blessing that God gives us in our lives.

Over the last couple of years, blogging has been such an amazing experience in so many ways. My favorite... meeting new friends from all over the world, peeking into their lives, chatting, commenting... all that fun stuff. Today I would like you to meet one of these lovely souls.

Cheryl always gives the kindest words of encouragement... always, just when I need it! Her story is incredible, her photographs are amazing and she is a blessing.

a coastal point of view

Thank you Cheryl.

swim

2012-02-02T08:56:00.001-05:00

Swim meets ~ how I love them! Even when it is 33 degrees outside and 90 degrees inside. The winter league is through the YMCA and the ages range from 6-18. It's a unique swim team experience. There is a unique mixing of children, parents and ability levels. For us, the meet started a little bumpy.

A well deserved shout out to our awesome coach... who is from Brazil and humbly knows he's full of awesome! He is also our school coach, so my kids are already in love with him. Jeff and I especially love the way he ends his emails, right before a meet;
Good Luck and God Bless! May your strokes be smooth and strong, May your legs be fierce and fast and may your hearts be proud and pleasing to the Lord.

Anyway... thanks to him, he defused our situation in record time.

Here's a recap in a few words and a lot of pictures.

Mary Claire nervously notices she is warming up with the big kids. There's not another little kid in sight.
I can feel her nervousness from across the pool.
Two minutes into warm ups, she swallows water.
Girlfriend FREAKS!
She's my drama queen and loves tears.
A "call 911", crying meltdown proceeded.

Our coach, and all of his awesomeness, steps in.
This coach loves to win, but he also loves to teach and it's obvious. He is a great motivator, using the kindest words. Most importantly, (to a mother), he fills up those little love tanks with positive reinforcement.

Over the next 10 minutes, he calms her nerves.

As the spectators watch. Because she has drawn some major attention to herself. A one man pre-game show.

But man she's cute!

From tears to the block, in 10 minutes.

To warming up for the backstroke.

(love the little hands)

She places FIRST in the breast stroke!

SECOND in the backstroke!

WooHoo Mary Claire!
(I can't resist smiling every time I see that face in a swim cap)

She was as proud as a peacock at the end of the meet.

It warms my heart when I meet people who sincerely care about my children. Whether it's a Sunday School teacher, energetic youth pastor, compassionate teacher, an awesome coach or a headmaster that goes that extra mile ~ just because. People who are blessings... sprinkled on us from heaven.

Anna Katherine; love to see that girl swim!

{her breast stroke}

{her butterfly}

It's the best feeling in the world;

Watching your child love something.

TRY (I mean really try!) at something.

friendship prayer

2012-01-31T00:53:00.000-05:00

When I stop and take a look at the friends my daughter has chosen to surround herself with, I am overcome with thankfulness for answered prayers.

I prayed this prayer for the first time 13 years ago. It was from a book given to me on Mother's Day by my mother. I am so thankful she prays for me, everyday.This book quickly became an all time favorite. This friendship prayer is from The Power of a Praying parent.

I lift up my children to You and ask that You would bring godly friends and role models into their lives. Give them the wisdom they need to choose friends who are godly and help them to never compromise their walk with You in order to gain acceptance.

Give me Holy Spirit-inspired discernment in how I guide or influence them in the selection of friends. I pray that You would take anyone who is not a godly influence out of their lives or else transform that person into Your likeness.

Your Word says, “He who walks with the wise will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed” (Proverbs 13:20). Don’t let my children be a companion of fools. Enable them to walk with wise friends and not have to experience the destruction that can happen by walking with foolish people.

Deliver them from anyone with an ungodly character so they will not learn that person’s ways and set a snare for their own soul.

Whenever there is grief over a lost friendship, comfort them and send new friends with whom they can connect, share, and be the people You created them to be.

Take away any loneliness or low self-esteem that would cause them to seek out less than God-glorifying relationships.

In Jesus’ name, I pray that You would teach them the meaning of true friendship.

Teach them how to be a good friend and make strong, close, lasting relationships.

May each of their friendships always glorify You.

Amen

c.r.a.z.y.

2012-01-30T08:36:00.002-05:00

It's hot...

no, it's cold...

now it's hot again...

This southern winter weather is crazy!

It's January and we find ourselves switching from winter coats, to short sleeves, back into winter coats. Today the forecast is upper 60's, bright and beautiful.

Just crazy...

but you won't hear us complaining!

Winter break is coming up... {insert a WooHoo} We are packing the warm clothes and heading north. Time for some major hibernation!

dairy queen

2012-01-29T15:49:00.001-05:00

I couldn't resist, I had to share this funny story.

My sister has been breast feeding babies off and on for what seems like... well, forever. Where I struggled to make it to the 5 month mark, she easily nurses to the one year mark. She's a real dairy queen!

Last week, while Crys was nursing Evie. My 5 year old niece, who is the wittiest kid ever, was was studying the situation. studying it hard. Then she asked...

"Is that all baby Evie eats?"

Yes, until she can eat baby food, this is all she eats.

so which one's the food?

and which one's the drink?

little more birthday

2012-01-26T20:55:00.000-05:00

A little more birthday... I'm probably going to say "and a little more" in a couple days. We had a small celebration, just the family. We ate Shrimp Etouffee. A unique dish, requested by the birthday boy.

The feedback on the cake was...

it was great, moist, chocolaty, best cake ever...

I wouldn't know {insert sad face}

It was a doctored up cake mix with homemade buttercream icing.

Recipes I found on Pintrest.

Anna Katherine has been itching to do this...

Happy 16th

2012-01-26T10:30:00.003-05:00

Eighteen years ago I was 39+ weeks pregnant and biting my nails with anticipaton of meeting our very first baby. We brought you home and our life has never been the same.

Skip forward sixteen years... it's hard to wrap my mind around the fact, sixteen years have flown by!

You are our entire world.

Happy Birthday Bennett

rock your world

2012-01-25T08:56:00.001-05:00

My boy lost his cell phone today. Well, he didn't 'lose' his phone, it was turned OFF.

Service terminated ~ indefinitely

{WHY} three missed homework assignments. The expectations were clear... written in black and white... weeks ago. This should have come as no surprise, but of course it did.

Summer 2011

To some this may sound excessive. My own father called it excessive. Taking away his 'link to civilization,' how dare I. Thankfully I didn't have to pry the device away. Cellular service can now be turned off and on with the click of a mouse.

It was not pretty. Daddy wasn't home to provide reinforcement. I just kept reminding myself, it's about taking charge of my role as his parent. In two days, my son will be sixteen. These are his transitioning years... from his world, into the real world. Without transition, moms can end up on Dr. Phil, begging their 30 year old 'kid' to get off their coach and get a job.

So, in order to get his attention concerning ~~homework~~ responsibility, I had to rock his world. And it's shocking how turning off a cell phone will rock a teenager's world. Especially when there's no answer to, 'for how long?'

This discipline, as in all of our discipline, comes with the saturation of unconditional love. He is such a great kid... good to the core of his soul. He knows that. And, I am very thankful. Our teenage problems could be way worse. He will earn the phone back. It may take some time, the exceptions were spelled out. He will soon know how many 100's it takes to pull up three zeros.

Summer 2011

My parenting hero is Dr. James Dobson. I love his christian approach to discipline. I've read The Strong Willed Child a half dozen times, cover to cover. In my opinion, this book should be a mandatory read before new mothers can leave the hospital. I try my darn-nest to model my discipline after his principles. I've copied and pasted a few of his points below.

- Six Keys to Protecting Teens through
  Discipline
  Long before I left my medical practice to work for Focus on the Family, I had read every Dr. Dobson book on how to raise children and be a good parent. Dr. Dobson articulated his classic principles so well I don't think you have to go anywhere else. Barb and I felt as though we were sitting at his feet whenever we read -- and reread -- a chapter fromDare to Discipline or The Strong-Willed Child. From Dr. Dobson's writings, we found six key principles, which I outlined in God's Design for the Highly Healthy Child and apply here to teens:
  
  1. Define the boundaries before they are enforced. Teens have the right to know what is and what is not acceptable behavior before they are held responsible for breaking the rules. You can't say, "You have to be in by 11:00p.pm." and not tell your teens what the consequences are for being fifteen minutes late, thirty minutes late, or one hour late. If you're going to enforce curfew by the minute, then say so. If you're going to have a fifteen-minute grace period before they're officially late, then say so. Either way, let them know in advance what the consequences are for breaking curfew.
  
  2. Avoid making impossible demands. Sure all parents would love their kids to take AP courses, get high SAT scores, and have 4.0 report cards. But few teens are capable of being whizzes in the classroom. Even in this era of grade inflation, a straight-A report card is still a rare event in school these days. By the same token, some dads want to relive their glory days on the gridiron, so they place subtle pressure on their sons to be All-League football players when in actuality they contribute to the team in a backup role. Parents should set the bar, but it takes a thoughtful parent to place the bar just high enough to push his or her teen to greater heights without deflating the ego. Is your teen performing at a level that makes sense for his or her gifts and abilities? If so, you've set the bar at the right height.
  
  3. Distinguish between irresponsibility and willful defiance. Teens can act goofy sometimes or like little Machiavellians. There's a difference between irresponsibility, such as leaving the car windows down overnight when a thunderstorm hits, and willful defiance, such as coming in after midnight when he knew full well he should have been home an hour earlier. This is an area where you can show grace -- God's grace -- as you effectively discern what your teen's motives were for his or her acts of negligence or defiance.
  
  4. When defiantly challenged, respond with confident decisiveness. Intuitively you know the difference between irresponsibility and willful defiance, and when your teen has thrown down the gauntlet, you must respond in kind. Dr. Dobson suggests that when children "make it clear that they're looking for a fight, you would be wise not to disappoint them!" When nose-to-nose confrontations happen, it's extremely important to know ahead of time what you will do -- and then to respond confidently.
  
  5. Reassure and teach after the confrontation is over. Remember how you hugged your toddler after a spanking to let him know that everything was going to be all right? You don't spank teens, of course, but they still need to hear your reassurance that you love them. You may need to remind them of the ways they can avoid correction or punishment in the future. Teens never outgrow their need for reassurance after times of discipline.
  
  6. Let love be your guide! It doesn't do any good to get into a shouting match. Sure, your teens will do things to make you angry, but you must keep your cool. During these few remaining years they live under your roof, you have a powerful opportunity to model adult ways of handling conflict, which will help them in the workplace and in their relationships in the future.

iPhone pics

2012-01-24T07:00:00.000-05:00

I have some major love & affection for my iPhone camera. It's awesome from beginning to end. If you own one, you can
relate... Crazy love

Here's a peek at our last few days, via my phone.

First night at Snowbird... about 17 degrees right here.

Finally time for AK's oral surgery. We've been dreading this. See the gap? See the white spot below? It's a tooth, way below, sitting sideways, not budging.

She was cool as a cucumber in the waiting room. Why? Because she was 'supposed to be sedated.

For some reason, I have yet to get to the bottom of... she was not sedated
... not even given 'laughing gas.' She cried for three hours.
With my phobia of the dentist... I was mortified when I learned this.
Of course I learned this when it was too late.

All AK wanted after surgery... ice cream and to see Roger.
Her sweet uncle brought her a bouquet of cake pops.

That's my baby niece. She's growing so fast.

Final step in my concealed carry license.

The recent story of the jogger getting snatched and killed pushed my guy to buy a new gun, just for me.

(I just wanted a mace gun) Thank you, but I wasn't thrilled.

I never knew finger prints looked SO cool .

I turned the corner at school and ran into Bennett self portrait.
WOW was all I could say! It looked JUST like him!
My girls tell me everything. My son tells me nothing.
I had no idea he had even done this.

I'm already planning how to frame this 6ft. piece of art.
I love it more than I love my rooster!

The big SC primary has come and gone. Jeff and I were undecided until the last minute.
Gingrich or Romney... we like them both. We shall see.

2012-01-23T14:00:00.000-05:00

Can I show you something I LOVE?

My new rooster. I'll admit, you will probably "love it" or "hate it".

For me, it's colorful, funky... it screams me.

I loved it so much, I had my electrician (aka Jeff) wire it's own personal spot light. (Lowes $22)

Have I mentioned, I love it?

the rest of the story

2012-01-22T15:27:00.000-05:00

Thank you all for the very kind comments. Whether email, text, Facebook, in person...I can't express how much I appreciated each and every one of them.

Now for the rest of the story...
in pictures of course

Lots of pizza... so much pizza, every child was given half!

In the end the kids embraced skiing. At first many checked the dislike box... but after ski school, a little practice, their confidence was soaring and they came away in love... looking forward to next year.

heavy heart

2012-01-20T13:42:00.001-05:00

Please help me to not refuse

to be faithful in tests granted for my gain.

Help me, Lord, not to become weary in doing good,

for at the proper time I will reap a harvest if I

do not give up {Galatians 6:9}.

~ Beth Moore

Praying God’s Word day by day

This week, I have had a heavy, sad, guilt ridden heart.

Washing clothes, organizing, cleaning, getting back into the swing of things after our youth retreat has been a hefty task. While playing catch up, for some reason, I couldn't shake a sad feeling. My family kept asking, what’s wrong... I had no idea. I was just depressed.

Then it hit me ... or shall I say the Holy Spirit hit me. Slapped me in the face. I immediately knew the root of my sadness. The tears started flowing. I rarely cry. I think I cried maybe once last year. I've been crying for two days.

I'll make my story brief, I need to dry my eyes. Today is the day of Anna Katherine’s big dental surgery. I need a brave face. She will for sure think I am crying because we are headed to the dentist.

And, to all my Wednesday night church friends, hopefully this story will explain why... when asked by my fellow GA teachers, “How was the ski trip,” I burst into tears. The ski trip was great... I just feel like a failure in one major area. So here goes...

My cabin was made up of girls I have known for years. Many of them since the toddler years. Sweet, precious, christian girls. Like Cameron below, these girls are from strong Christian homes.

However, on this trip, we had a visitor. A thirteen year old new girl. She was cute, bubbly, talkative... she had a personality that shined. She was from a family of non-believers. A family of "self-proclaimed" atheists. Now, that’s something I rarely hear. I knew this on day one. I remember being so happy that her family allowed her to tag along on a Southern Baptist youth trip.

The camp was great.

They held awesome worship services twice a day. Christian enrichment for our regular group. After worship, the camp counselors divided into small groups.

On day one, I pulled a counselor aside. I pointed out our visitor and explained her situation.

{The End}

I remember rushing back to the cabin, coffee in hand. So much to do, the schedule was full, the weather was freezing, I was catching up with an old friend... and did I mention it was really cold?

So when the revelation of failure finally hit me, it hit hard... the trip was over. How could this have happened? I had made sure the girls showered, washed hair, brushed teeth, ate a few vegetables, applied chap-stick, spoke kindly to others, put away their cell phones, used their manners... We made sure all earthly needs were taken care of.

But when it came to this child’s salvation... We all passed the buck.

We passed the responsibility over to the counselors. Maybe they were the best ones to bring the gospel? Maybe they could have a greater impact? Lots of maybes.

But, our visitor knew me, talked with me. Slept ten feet from me... for four days... I did lend a listening ear, we talked a lot. I really-really liked her. But receiving the gospel...

had been left up to others.

Part of my guilt came from the fact that I personally teach a mission class. I engrain in my GA class,

“Go out. Tell others about Jesus.”

We act it, write it, draw it, sing it... pound in them ways to tell others about Jesus. Never do they hear, “just ask someone else to do it for you.” If only intentional time had been made, to talk only about Jesus. If only.

So I have been crying.

For a golden opportunity missed ...
Wondering if others were missed.

I hope to see her again. I'm trying. Maybe she was a warning. I never want to be accused of being a luke warm christian.

This week, I'm feeling pretty lukewarm.

God send us to the world that

we may be the salt and light in the world

and that the world may know Him through us.

May God be glorified as we share

the good news to the world.

Snowbird

2012-01-18T08:49:00.000-05:00

It was a great long weekend at Snowbird Wilderness Outfitters.

Our youth group packed up and headed for the hills.

Leaving behind all the clutter and distraction.

Just being completely available to God.

Our trip was kicked off with a minor fender-bender.

Minor is an understatement.

A scratch on a truck's bumper delayed the bus over two hours.

The camp was beautiful

The temperatures were icy C.O.L.D.

The kids embraced the chill.

The adults (especially me) had a harder time.

I stayed layered up the entire trip, often resembling the Michelin Man.

My toes were numb and my teeth were chattering.

Fashion was out the window

Long Johns and hand warmers were my best friends.

If I could pick one word that summed up our trip it would be radical.

radical discipleship.

radical activities!

Another highlight...

Fellowshipping with wonderful people!

Even if those people were eating doughnuts.

Our sweet youth minister and his adorable wife!

I loved...

Seeing a generation that God uses.

It was awesome...

Seeing adults devoting intentional time

to the spiritual growth of our kids.

Our time was spent...

Strengthening christian bonds.

Building a support system.

Connecting with God.

I think I took about 1,000 pictures.

{to be continued}

ski retreat

2012-01-16T23:05:00.000-05:00

Glory to God for all He has done at our Youth Ski Retreat.

a recap to come

For now, I am a little hungover from so much excitement...

and insane energy levels and late night girl talk

and mountain driving and junk food eating

and freezing temperatures and bathhouse showering

and coffee.

I'm shedding my long johns for the first time in four days.

taking a long hot shower.

and heading to bed.

Lord, have mercy, what a wonderful weekend!

Friday phone dump

2012-01-13T11:01:00.002-05:00

It's Friday...

and I need to ~~dump~~ transfer my phone pictures.

The more I use my iPhone camera...

<3 the more in love I fall <3

Anna Katherine and I enjoying a GF pizza at Mellow Mushroom

Catching a ride to church with my boy

This restroom sign left Anna Katherine and I down in the dumps. To imagine. Having to do this.

Love our church ministers!

And this face.... how I love this face!

And these faces!

And this face... I could eat it up!

winter(less) wonderland

2012-01-11T11:27:00.002-05:00

Global warming? I'm beginning to wonder if there's some truth to the theory. It's been a crazy warm winter in the south. Two days of cold weather left us thinking winter was finally here. Only to have the temperatures jump back into the 70's.

No complaining here... I'm not a fan of the cold. It's just wearing shorts, running the air conditioner, playing in the water hose... random things we don't normally do in January!

This might be as close as we get to sledding in South Carolina.

My Jimmy Neutron creates a sled from an old barn door.

Hours I tell you... hours fun!

my genius

2012-01-10T08:13:00.000-05:00

Who needs the Apple Genius Bar, when you are married to one... at least I think so. My computer issue was, just as we suspected, a fried hard drive.

the problem: a new hard drive

the cost: $700

the fix: my personal genius, an over the counter hard drive and youtube $300

The Apple genius warned us... it is very difficult.

My genius' reply, "Everything's relative"

... a frightening sight.

One hour later...

my computer was running better than the day it came out of the box.

Jeff Graves: my hero

Mary Claire's camera roll

2012-01-09T05:00:00.000-05:00

Our family is having a blast (secretly) looking at the pictures on Mary Claire's camera roll
{that girl is a hoot}

Mary Claire before swim team

Mary Claire and Kittyboy

two of about 20 pet portraits

Kittyboy

Jilly

Only Mary Claire

this week

2012-01-05T23:01:00.000-05:00

I've caught myself being an all out Eeyore this week.

Warning... a few of the bullet points are 'winey and complainy.'

First up... Computer issues have consumed my work days. My iMac's hard drive CRASHED... chicken fried - it's toast. (It's currently at the Apple Genius Bar. I love that it's called a genius bar) I'm hoping the hard drive is the only issue. Either way, I'm seeing dollar signs. Oh well. Everything is backed up. (except a few thousand of my personal pictures. but better mine than a customer's) So, it could be worse!

The weather in the South has finally turned icy. I was forced to pull out... and dust off the dreaded 'dread-mill.' Why does exercise feel like forever on these things?

We painted our kitchen. I thought it would be a quick project. {wrong} Just like the book, 'if you give a mouse a cookie', the project kept going and going and going. We realized the trim was dingy, the cabinets needed a coat, plus we decided to paint the ceiling the same color. It turned out to be a major undertaking! But's it's done and I love it!

My old barn door, after 11 years, came off the wall. {small tear} 2012 has put me in the mood for something different. I scoured the internet for the perfect print. I wanted something super colorful, bold, wild and funky... and yes, I wanted a ROOSTER! ( I secretly love them) I narrowed it down to these:

I choose this one in acrylic. It was awarded Kelly's chicken stamp of approval.
My girls have been complaining... Swim team is up and running. After chilling out for two weeks, their little bodies are feeling the 'burn'.

Bennett has been an angel in golden camo wings. Taking out the trash, cleaning his room, shaving without being asked... I'm convinced. something's up.

My kids are hooked on Tivo-ed episodes of Fear Factor... {insert dry heaves} There's not enough money IN the world to make me to eat wiggling scorpions or live snakes... a lady even shaved her head. And the mom and son team ~ kinda creepy.

Two big SC football games has set loose every CRAZY on Facebook. Seriously ~ it's shameful ~ on both sides. I mean, for real guys; It's a game... and for goodness sake, pull for your state's team. (and remember my biggest pet peeve... over the top, crazy fans with NO affiliation to the school)

My nephew David

It's been a 'mood swinging' kind of week. "One mood monkey... in every color please."

Have a wonderful weekend my blog friends... I'm off to run some miles, then to the Genius Bar to have a cup of Jo with my Mac... how incredibly hippy does that sound ;) In other words, after I exercise, I'm swinging by McDonald's for a $1 cup of coffee, then hopefully picking up my computer. Just sounded so much more exciting the other way ;)

wonderworks

2012-01-05T07:58:00.000-05:00

Over our quick New Years trip, we visited that upside down museum thing. We had heard mixed reviews. It was a little on the expensive side (around $40 each), so we were hesitant. We ended up finding discounted tickets at Costco.

Here's my personal review. It was AWESOME! Worth every penny. Our family loves science, quirky facts, crazy experiments... so it was right up our alley. We will definitely be going back.

And who thought a bed of nails wouldn't hurt?

The nail marks on my shoulder blades hurt like the devil!

Gotta love Mary Claire's up-do :)

The high rope course was great!

(and I'm afraid of heights)

photo idea

2012-01-04T22:18:00.001-05:00

Cute idea circulating through the blog-a-sphere

little more Christmas

2012-01-04T08:28:00.000-05:00

For the new year, I got smart. Instead of making a long list of resolutions, I made a (long) to do list. I do love a list! Something about crossing things off ... it’s therapeutic! But before I dive into 2012 , I wanted to share a little more from our Christmas.

Brand new baby Evie was the highlight of the season. My sister arrived home from the hospital a few days before Christmas. My mom stayed the entire weekend, helping my sister, cooking for me... what a JOY! Move over Buddy, Honey is the new elf in town. I ate like a gluten free queen, thank you Honey.

Sarah Anne was happy to see her elf, Soapie, visited baby Evie in the hospital. Baby Evie ~ obviously not a fan!

We spent a lot of time at the Smoak house.

Did I mention my mom was a cooking fool that weekend?

The line to hold baby Evie was Disney World long...

But worth the wait!

Jeff and I had agreed, Roger is one of the cutest kids ever!

And he loves everything Bennett adored at his age.

There's something about a little boy and Christmas time.

After pouring through my pictures, I realized this was the only image I have of my mom and my sister.

A little bird told us a certain 13 year old was snooping for her Christmas gifts.

Buddy left several reminders of the true meaning of Christmas.

Christmas Eve, after church, the excitement level was electric. It's the one night of the year, all three kiddos are itching to go to sleep all while climbing the walls. Right before bed, right before Santa starts the Santa stuff, the kids open their gifts to each other.

This year the two big kids bought gifts using their own money. Bennett has a job, Anna Katherine babysits... so the gifts were a little extra special.

Christmas morning, we have a 6am rule. (this rule was created especially for Anna Katherine) So what time did she wake us up? 6am on the dot!

And just like that, the grand finale...
It's all over.

I did manage to catch a picture of Santa Claus in the act.

Mary Claire studied that picture off and on all day.

Christmas afternoon since forever, it's off to Jeff's hometown. Good food, great company, a Christmas favorite! (My kids love spending time with their cousins.)

I continue to be surprised at my new found love for my iPhone camera.

It's still hard for me to believe Christmas has come... and gone.

Christmas lights in our hometown

sparkles

2012-01-02T20:14:00.000-05:00

Mary Claire really wanted her birthday party here, at Sweet and Sassy. We read that it had closed. We didn't realize, it had reopened under a new name... Sparkles. With Christmas money burning a hole in her pocket, she choose the glam fashion package!

The ladies were so sweet...

A little glitter.... a lot of sparkle!

Where else can enter looking like a sweet second grader

and leave looking...

a little like Pocahontas

a little like Cleopatra

a little like Lady GaGa

a little like Whoopie Goldberg

Blue glitter nails ~ HOLLA!

A couple hours later...

The wind... the feathers... they were driving her nuts.

And she realized the blonde hair extension was drawing a lot of attention.

Attention is daddy's middle name.

He looked simply scrumptious!

A little odd... a perfect match for Anna Katherine!

Mary Claire was a head turner at church Sunday morning.

Her corn rows lasted three days.

Thank you MaMa Ruth and PaPa!
Ms. Amy thinks you are GHETTO FABULOUS!

Happy New Year

2012-01-01T19:03:00.000-05:00

I enjoyed this New Year passage from Deep Breath of Life by Alan Cohen:

Greet the new year with a sense of joyful anticipation. No matter what has happened this year, you have the power to create your next year as you choose. You are not the same person who started this year. You are wiser, deeper, and richer for your experiences. You will take your knowledge and build on it to make a new year unlike any you have lived before.

Devote this new year to gratitude, blessing, and celebration! Determine that the next year will be the best one ever. It will be what you want it to be, so aim high. You deserve the very best that life has to offer, because you are the very best.

I walk in love.

My future is blessed by God.

Our New Year Resolutions

2011-12-30T21:28:00.001-05:00

We are ringing in the New Year on Broadway!

Don't I wish! We not in N.Y. City.... Not even close! We are living it up in the redneck riviera ! Broadway at the (myrtle) Beach!

We're just hanging out, doing a little shopping, eating sinfully delicious food. I discovered the BEST gluten free cheeseburger at Red Robin! Tomorrow is gluten free Mellow Mushroom pizza. Then it's crash diet time come Monday!

I am attempting my first ever 'completely' written blog post via my iPhone. So please excuse me if this post is peppered with typos or crazy picture order!

fresh meat

2011-12-30T05:00:00.000-05:00

...in my crazy world of obsessive picture taking.

Sometimes I feel like I've photographed my kids (and my sisters three kids) to pieces.

Great news for me... a new little face

What JOY 2012 will be photographing this little bundle. A bundle I can get my hands on in a moments notice.

horses

2011-12-29T05:28:00.000-05:00

Sometimes the simplest of gifts,

turn out to be an all time favorite.

Mary Claire's favorite gift this Christmas, I am so proud to say...

was not electronic.

It was her horse / unicorn / giraffe collection.

She has played with them for countless hours.

Good job Santa!

small town gossip

2011-12-28T14:52:00.001-05:00

One of my best Christmas gifts this season - a belly rolling, stitch ripping, laugh out loud till tears streamed down my face, bent over till it hurt laugh. And this gift arrived just this morning.

Let me preface the story with the fact that I am a Girls in Action leader at our southern Baptist church. We perform mission work. Our goal is to go out into the world and try to make it a better place.

This past weekend my best friend Kelly was visiting. She is not only hysterical and the life of every occasion, she is also a teacher for special needs children and does mission work as well. In fact all the pictures in this post were taken on her mission trip to Costa Rica. She's one of the most giving people I have ever known.

Basically, we're good church goin' folk.

And, remember I live in a small town.

So, here's the stitch ripping, laugh out loud story. A couple days ago I was delivering bags of Goodwill items to needy hispanic family in town. Kelly rode along, we met them in parking lot, in a poor part of town. Well, apparently I was spotted by a lady...while she was in line at the fast food restaurant (across the street)

She saw me...
She saw Kelly...
But apparently, she failed to see the bags of clothes in the back of my car.

She simply saw only what her eyes would allow her to: two girls in a bad hood, one standing outside the car, waiting. Obviously they must be up to no good.

She spread the horrifying news... Heidi and Kelly were spotted in town making a drug deal... meth, crack? She wasn't sure. But, in that neck of the woods... what else would they be doing?

{Did mission work ever cross her mind?}

{SERIOUSLY}

I'd like to say I am offended.

I'd like to say that the tears streaming down my face right now are a direct result of the hurt I feel. But that wouldn't be very honest. I choked on my coffee... laughing so hard at the accusations. My husband is still laughing! The strongest drug I have ever done is an extra strength Red Bull. I pride myself in being a Just-Say-No goody-two-shoes!

They say that laughter is good for the soul. So I thought of sending a thank you note straight to the source of lunacy.

However, I'd have to put down my crack pipe long enough to do that, and EVERYONE knows it can't be pried away from me too long!

Kelly in Costa Rica

tim-burr

2011-12-27T17:02:00.000-05:00

{Ahhh...}

I am beginning to think the week after Christmas is my favorite week of the year.

No matter how hard I try, no matter how hard I plan...

the week before Christmas is always insane...

Insanely busy!

So this is the week... the one week of the year, the entire family is off; no work, school, activities, no Wednesday night church ...

a blank schedule.

We purposely stay up late, sleep even later, welcome rainy days, stay in our pajamas all day, cook, watch movies, veg out

and secretly wish I owned a pair of pajama jeans ;)

We are continuing a quiet Christmas celebration until the New Year.

Our plan was to keep our trees and decorations up until January first.

Our playroom tree had another idea.

Christmas night, my husband dozed off in the playroom.

Around 2am he awoke with the 9ft cedar tree laying next to him.

His version of the story is pant wetting hilarious.

It took a minute for him to register where he was.

90% of the ornaments exploded and 90% of the tinsel held tight.

Luckily it missed his precious train.

The story would have a tragic spin if his Martin Guitar train car was harmed.

The next morning he was quick getting the mess up

and tree out.

So quick, he did what many men might do?

Grab a power tool,

shave off the limbs (on the rug in the playroom)

and pitch it from the window.

I can tell you who is not cleaning up the mess...

I'm too busy being lazy.

Christmas Evie

2011-12-26T17:50:00.002-05:00

Thanks be to God for His unspeakable Gift—

indescribable inestimable incomparable inexpressible precious beyond words.

Lois Lebar

A few pictures from our candlelight Christmas Eve service.

Our pastor and associate pastor told the Christmas story.

My husband sang Silent Night.

Our children's minister told the story about a Baby named Jesus.

Two angels were selected to wear golden halos -

we snickered when Mrs. Pat chose Sarah Anne and Mary Claire.

Our two angels who struggle (daily) to keep their halos straight.

We couldn't get enough of another precious gift,

Little Christmas Evie

And then... Buddy our Elf said Good-bye.

But not before reminding us of the real reason we celebrate Christmas.

Santa Proof

2011-12-24T12:55:00.002-05:00

My friend Amy just sent me this GREAT idea! Leave it up to Amy to find the best ideas.

Hoping even with my crazy Christmas Eve Schedule I can pull this one off.

http://www.capturethemagic.com/

Christmas Quiz

2011-12-23T21:29:00.000-05:00

The excitement is building, the air in our house is electrically charged with anticipation....

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve.

and nothing says Merry Christmas from South Carolina like camouflage reindeer antlers.

Christmas Quiz that is circulating the blogosphere. Just copy and paste... and join in. I'm a little late.

1. Egg nog or hot chocolate? actually ~ neither, too much dairy for my fragile old lady digestive system. I prefer hot coffee with a splash of peppermint.
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Sits them under the tree. Baby Jesus received three gifts from the wise men, so Santa brings three gifts.
3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? There's always BIG bulb colored lights on at least one tree in the house. White sometimes downstairs. It's all about the kids.
4. Do you hang mistletoe? This year, YES. Our woods are full. This year Anna Katherine found a clump in our backyard... and tied it to a stick, so cute!
5. When do you put your decorations up? Sometimes before Thanksgiving, most of the time after. They upstairs tree went up a week before Christmas. We fly by the seat of our pants on that tradition.
6. What is your favorite holiday dish? It used to be Christmas cookies, cakes, chocolate covered pretzels. Anything doughy and sugary. My Gluten Free lifestyle has left me munching on candy canes. My favorite: Chocolate covered peppermint sticks.
7. Favorite holiday memory as a child? Christmas morning walking out to see what Santa brought. I could NEVER sleep the night before.
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? My cousin told me around 7. Then I told another cousin. Then I got in big trouble.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? My children open their gifts to each other. This allows their gifts to not get lost in the hustle-bustle of Christmas morning. This tradition has made them place immense thought into each other's gifts.
10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree? I posted about that here. Random ornaments I’ve collected over the years. Playroom tree... lots f tinsel ~ anything goes! My goal is to make memories.
11. Snow! Love it or dread it?Love it when looking at it from the INSIDE. I detest cold weather, my bones can't handle it!
12. Can you ice skate? I’ve been a couple times. But I would say NO.
13. Do you remember your favorite gift? pearls from my husband
14. What’s the most important thing about the holidays for you? Jesus. Making sure we place the most emphasis on the true meaning of the holiday.

15. What is your favorite holiday dessert? EVERYTHING. I have a total sweet tooth.
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Christmas mornings with my family.
17. What tops your tree? A star.
18. Which do you prefer: giving or receiving? Giving! I always get so excited about what I bought.
19. Candy canes: yuck or yummy? Yummy!
20. Favorite Christmas show? ELF ~ Hands down. It is actually one of my favorite movies!
21. Saddest Christmas song?'Joseph's Lullabye'
22. What is your favorite Christmas song? Anything my husbands sings. Not to sound sappy... but he makes any song sound delightful.

merry-making

2011-12-22T12:25:00.000-05:00

mer·ry·mak·ing/ˈmerēˌmākiNG

Noun: The process of enjoying oneself with others.

Synonyms: jollification, rejoicing, jamboree, frolic, fun, WOOPEE!

{Crafts}

A MOM Christmas Favorite

{ Thank you Keltner Family }

labor of love

2011-12-21T21:14:00.001-05:00

The true glory of our Savior's birth

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aOHZdEFdq8

family gatherings

2011-12-21T12:04:00.000-05:00

One of my favorite things about the holidays is all the family get-togethers. Last weekend, right before baby Evie was due to arrive, we enjoyed Christmas with my mother's family.

My cousin's new baby stole the show!

All the wonderful food... bread bowls and homemade soups. My sweet mom made me a gluten free bread bowl... to the tune of $7 per bowl... definitely the occasional treat.

Chinese gift exchange.

I kept calling it the 'chinese auction'

My kids never missing the opportunity for a good laugh.... using their best chinese auctioneer voice to mock their mother.

Someone won some hair streaking accessories!

Déjà vu

2011-12-19T23:18:00.002-05:00

It seemed hard to believe.
The day was finally here. With children divided up, specific instructions from my sis, everyone left home before sunrise... battle plan in hand.

Baby Roger arriving at the hospital around 6:30am

Déjà vu... Weren't we just here?

21 months ago to be exact.

The waiting room, like the last time... and the last time...and the last time...

was buzzing with anticipation.

We heard the chime, Baby Evie had arrived safe and sound... with her own unique look. My sister did great, very chatty during the delivery ~ Stephen was a champ... two baby delivering pros.

It's me... and my mom

in the reflections

Big sisters announce her name

Then we shifted from 'BABY' to 'babysitting' Jeff finally gets his chance to take Roger to the John Deere dealership... Seems like yesterday my boy was a baby.

Then off to the downtown park. Where we had a chance to see things never/rarely seen in our little town. Like dangerous looking men, with dangerous looking dogs... near the playground. We saw two. And, lots of PDA. Thankfully this shot was from the back and SA didn't seem to notice.

Then home, baths, dinner, early to bed...

everyone was asleep by 8. How quickly we forget the pace with tiny ones. Hats off to my sister, I'm exhausted. .

Welcome baby 'Evie'

2011-12-18T16:40:00.001-05:00

tomorrow's the day

2011-12-18T06:00:00.000-05:00

Monday is the big day! Baby "E" will arrive around 8am. My bag (with cameras and a laptop) are packed and ready. Anna Katherine and I will be there with bells on.

care package

2011-12-16T22:53:00.002-05:00

So far, so good, no snow in the South...

In between racing around like a dangerous one inch of snow would soon fall... Lysol-ing everything, bleaching door knobs, washing blankets, afraid the stomach bug would soon come knocking... we cuddled one sick little puppy. So far, Mary Claire is the only one to fall victim. And she is on the mend, but man it's a rough one!

My good friend emailed me early this morning. She was in route to New York city, looking forward to long weekend experiencing Christmas the city. The bug struck two of hers on the plane. Prayers went up.
Another friend emailed to remind me of last years Christmas... they had to practically cancel do to the bug. Santa left gifts all while holding a bucket.

Finger crossed!

Buddy was sweet enough to send Mary Claire a 'get well package'

~ all the way from the North Pole ~

A few art things and chocolate to share with her two favs.

Christmas Caroling

2011-12-16T17:34:00.006-05:00

Wednesday night our GA groups, grades first through 5, visited Pinedale nursing home. It was such a blessing. My husband came along to help the girls sing Christmas carols. It was precious! The girls sang, gave out treats and lots and lots of hugs.

I had to smile at the sweet lady in purple.

Maybe my husband was off key?

The nurse promised her hearing aides were just extra powerful.

The girls especially enjoyed the gift of 'giving'

A few sweet girls even brought goodie bags from home.

Such a precious group of little girls.