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Timestamp: 2009-02-01 04:17:38 UTC


Jen from My Crazy Wonderful Life~

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Flashback Friday ... sort of

We're home!

The past two days have flown by, but we had such a fun time. Eric had a business trip in Raleigh, so I thought the girls and I would tag along so we could visit with friends.

Raleigh is where I first met Eric (15 years ago!) and we lived there after we were married. Truth be told, I would still live there today! I remember when Eric found out about a job in my hometown and after several interviews decided we were moving back, I cried .... no, I sobbed. I just have such sweet memories in Raleigh and didn't want to leave.

Okay, I'm moving on before I get sad :(

We got there in time for dinner on Wednesday and had plans to take the girls to a neat pizza place we used to go to. The restaurant wasn't there anymore, which was a bummer but we ended up right beside ONE of my apartments (another story). We pulled into the apartment complex and I said, "Look girls! This is where Mommy used to live!" O (trying to process it all) said, "What? Where did Mawmaw live?" I told her Mawmaw didn't live in Raleigh with me to which E chimed in, "You LEFT Mawmaw and moved away?!?"

(Later, I asked E if she would ever want to live in Raleigh. She said yes, but she didn't plan to take me with her. When I asked her 'why', she said, "You didn't take your Mom, so I'm not taking you, either!" (My Mom is yelling "Amen" right now, I just know it).

Anyway, back to eating dinner. We weren't sure what to do, so we drove over one street and took the girls to the restaurant where we were engaged (Winston's). This is the place we had our first official date and one year later, Eric proposed to me at the same restaurant.

It was a little surreal sitting in that same restaurant with my two girls. They were tired and cranky and I mentioned to Eric that compared to our first date and the night we were engaged, this night with the girls was the most stressful. He disagreed and said it was the night he proposed. (Why do guys get so nervous? Don't they know we're going to say 'yes'?)

Here's a picture of our first 'official' date. My friend, Jennifer took this before we left to go to dinner. Who ARE these skinny people? Ha!

On Thursday morning, we took Eric to work and the girls and I drove around and looked at other places I had lived. My heart got a little sad when I passed by my old workplace. I loved working there and was very sad when I had to quit to move. But, God knew I would eventually leave everything and stay at home with my children, right?

We also drove by the place I went to college. Love this college. I told E she should definitely go here, but she wasn't buying it. Eric has her completely brainwashed over NC State. She just kept asking where that campus was. Whatever.

Then, we visited with my friend, Jennifer. We have been friends since 8th grade. So neat to see our kids playing together.

We picked Eric up and ventured out to our old condo (YES, the one that was so cold!). I do have great memories there being the first home we ever had. It was a little sad to see because the condos haven't been taken care of very well. Also, the part of the Neuse River that the condos are on has almost completely dried up because of the drought. The land around it looked very bare. I was nervous about walking around taking pictures because there were people outside, so Eric just got this shot of the front door and the sign.

We spent the rest of the afternoon driving around and reminiscing. The girls were getting bored with it, but Eric and I enjoyed it very much.

On the way home, we ate at Mimi's Cafe (I've heard so many of you talk about it) and it was delicious!

Can't wait to go back.

Checking in

I only have a second to post. Eric is on his way home and the van is loaded. The girls and I are tagging along on a super-quick business trip (about 3 hours away) with Eric. He'll be in training all day tomorrow while I plan to show the girls where Eric and I lived when we first got married. I want to show them our first home, our former church, etc. E hears us talk about it often, so she's excited to see everything. Plus, we get to visit with friends while we're there.

The blog carnival has turned out well, I think. Chick-fil-A is always a hit, is it not? And, reading about everyone's favorite thing to eat has made me crave it all day long. I'll tell you I was beginning to worry when the first 40 or so comments didn't once suggest a chicken biscuit or chicken-minis. Gasp! I heart them both. Do you know I actually have friends that haven't eaten breakfast there? Not sure why. It's just wrong, I tell you.

Then, a lady said her favorite was biscuits and gravy? Hmm ... who knew? Anyway, the carnival has been fun. You should check out all the other blogs to enter. Wow, there is a lot of stuff, so make sure you have time to visit for awhile :)

Today has been a lot better. I got A LOT of sleep last night and I am at the top of the (roller coaster) hill (wondering if a big dip is coming up?). Thank you to those who said you could relate and even shared some stories. We need to know we're not alone! Ha!

Gotta run. Time to hit the road.

The compliments just keep coming

I'm not going to lie .... sometimes the day just stinks. I know there are many people that have it a lot tougher than I do, but some days you just want to crawl in the bed and start over. Know what I mean?

I really shouldn't be surprised. I remember when I was beginning a study in Sunday School for high school girls on the subjects of modesty, purity and virtue. I asked God to allow me to think like them and understand what they were facing today. Almost immediately, he put me right where they were and gave me a huge zit on my right cheek. Ha!

We're in the middle of the study of Esther .... It's tough being a woman. Oh my word, it is. For many reasons. I'll spare you the details, but I have been having some .... issues. Of the hormonal sort and boy are they fierce. I keep shouting, "Hey! I'm tooooooo young for this!" But, no one is listening.

While packing E's lunch this morning, I started crying because she told me I had been packing the wrong drink for her. Her teacher had complained and told E to tell me. That little comment sent me into a crying frenzy. You know the kind. The one where everyone you live with just stands and looks at you with their mouths open. Maybe afraid to speak, I don't know.

To make matters worse, the way I have been feeling cannot even be cured by huge consumptions of chocolate.

I KNOW.

More evidence that Jesus is coming back soon, ladies. Very soon.

Of course, one incident isn't enough. I had to stop by the drug store after picking E up from school to get supplies for a school project. While waiting in the long line at the checkout (in the middle of two men), O yells, "Mommy! You could get this! You could put this on your eyes and make you feel better!"

It was an anti-wrinkle system. A system! Not just a small bottle of cream.

I'm silently praying for Jesus to take me home when E speaks up in my defense, "O, Mommy does not need that. She's does not have wrinkles."

O looks at me and points. She points! And announces, "Yes she does! Look at these!"

E (my sensitive child) knows what potential damage is on the horizon and says sweetly, "Those are not wrinkles, O. Mommy is beautiful".

I'm feeling somewhat better until I hear her follow up her comment with, "Besides, she put on that beautiful make-up this morning. You can't even see the spots all over her face."

And, just like that, my confidence was deflated once again.

So, now I'm off to take TWO Tylenol PM (shout out to Meredith - ha!) and crawl in the bed.

Okay ... Why Not?

Interested in a $10 gift card to Chick-fil-A?




Leave me a comment on this post telling me what your favorite thing to eat at Chick-fil-A is. I'll close comments on Saturday, January 31st (11:00pm EST) and choose a winner.


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For more giveaways (LOTS more giveaways), click here.

A Sunday Word

"O God, thou are MY God;

early will I seek thee;

my soul THIRSTETH for thee,

my flesh longeth for thee

in a dry and thirsty land,

where no water is;

Because thou hast been my HELP,

therefore in the shadow of

thy wings will I rejoice.

My soul followeth hard after thee:

thy right hand upholdeth me."

Psalm 63:1,7-8

"For I will POUR upon him

that is THIRSTY,

and floods upon the dry ground:

I will pour my spirit upon thy seed,

and my blessing upon thine offspring."

Isaiah 44:3

Photo credit: Yahoo images

Flashback Friday

These pictures are PRECIOUS to me!

(Taken July, 2006 - E is 4 years old and O is 1 year old)




Every single morning, E would sneak in O's room, wake her and climb in her crib to play. I never had the heart to tell her to stop waking her up. I loved it!

Happy Friday!

Easy Chicken and Dumplings

Okay, ladies ....

I received many requests for the Chicken and Dumplings recipe I talked about earlier today. I should have posted it earlier ... sorry.

I'll tell you first how much I have been craving Chicken and Dumplings. I wanted to try to make them myself, but didn't have a lot of time. With that said, I'll tell you it isn't easy for a Southern, slang-speaking girl to look up a recipe. Know what I mean? I checked out allrecipes.com and typed in chicken and dumplins and chicken dumplins - I got nothin!! DumplinGs sounds completely wrong to me and almost made me change my mind.

THEN, A friend of mine (Lisa B.) sent me some information I could hand out to the women in our bible study (recipes, beauty tips, etc.). I keep forgetting to make the copies (I don't have a brilliant bible study secretary like she does!), but glanced at the information briefly yesterday and saw this recipe. (It had to be God, right?) Anyway, I just happened to have all the ingredients, so I gave it a shot. Easy, easy ... so it's one of my new faves.

Easy Chicken and DumplinGs

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (cut in small chunks)
2 cans condensed cream of chicken soup
2 cups chicken broth
2 10oz. packages refrigerated biscuits
Salt and pepper to taste
(The recipe calls for 1/4 cup onion - finely chopped - but, I didn't put that in).

Combine all of the ingredients except for the biscuits in the slow cooker. Cover and cook on low setting for 5 to 6 hours. Approximately 30 minutes before serving the meal, tear the refrigerated biscuits into small pieces and add to the slow cooker mixture, stirring gently. Re-cover and let cook remaining minutes until biscuits are fluffy and thoroughly cooked.

Yummo~

I love that the broth is soupy and creamy and not runny (how does that sound for gourmet?). We ate the leftovers tonight before church and they were still delicious.

So easy.

Update: That was a joke to Lisa B. We do have a nice church staff that helps us with everything. Thought I better add that :)

Links and Stuff

I still don't have pictures of the tu-tus I made for the girls. I haven't been able to make O's yet. We went to the movies on Monday and then I had to rush to bible study. Yesterday, E was out of school because of a snow day (all of you in the North would laugh at our snow days and what constitutes calling off school). At any rate, school was cancelled and we spent the day watching movies.

This morning, we're on a 2 hour delay. This gives me approximately an hour and a half without O so I can run errands. But, first I thought I would share with you a few links and favorite things.

I'm off today to buy more of these. I love these and used to only wear them when I was skiing (once a year, maybe). But, since I found some in black and gray, I wear them a lot. I love them.

Yankee Candle Outlet is having a sale and I was able to get TWO of my favorite candle for $20 (the large jar). I love Christmas Cookie! That's a really good deal considering ONE jar is normally $24.95.

I made the EASIEST recipe last night for chicken dumplings using my crock pot (thank you, Lisa B!). They were delicious. O kept saying, "Mommy, you can make this every night and I will eat and eat and eat". I may just do that.

One NOT so favorite thing is this Magic Cool Disney Princess Oven. Oh my word! Santa brought this to O for Christmas and she couldn't wait to bake a cake. I'm not sure why Santa thought you could bake a cake with no heat - using only ice. I don't think it made much sense to Santa at first, but for whatever reason took a shot at it. Yuck! The cake turned out sort of like a VERY COLD congealed salad. O took one look at the finished product and said, "How nasty is this???" So, now it's a 'pretend' toy in her room. Be warned. Easy bake ovens with their 100-watt bulb really are the perfect gift, no? At least you end up with a somewhat edible cake.

One last thing and certainly the most important ... don't forget to continue praying for Baby Harper. You can read updates here on Kelly's blog. Also, someone had the great idea of setting up a prayer blog for them. You can visit it here and leave a comment letting the family know you are praying for them.

We have heat ... now, we're on to other things

What a difference a weekend makes!

Since my rant on my heat situation, Eric and my parents went to work to fix (mask) the problem. My mom showed up at our house Saturday morning to find me in my pajamas, robe, bedroom slippers and GLOVES! We do have a fireplace, but were told by the previous owners it had never been used. It is gas logs 'powered' by a propane tank. It took a little time, but by mid-morning we were TOASTY warm. Downstairs.

Because heat rises, the upstairs was .... well .... you could have worn a swimsuit and nothing else and would have still been hot.

No, I did not wear my swimsuit.

Anyway, it's a tad warmer here today and we are comfortable. Thank you, Lord.

The girls are out of school/MMO today. EARLY this morning, I woke and didn't hear anything. "Could they have slept late?", I thought.

I quietly went upstairs and found E and O under the covers. E was reading O her bible and trying to get her to memorize scripture. Hilarious! I heard O whisper to E, "I'm THREE YEARS OLD. I'm tired of this stuff!"

To which E started crying and told her she needed to love the Lord more. (Sigh!)

I had the grand idea to make tu-tus for the girls today. I bought the tulle and ribbon yesterday and have made the poofiest (is that a word), biggest tu-tu you have ever seen for E. She LOVES it! However, I underestimated how much tulle it takes to make THE BIGGEST TU-TU EVER, so O doesn't have one. YET. I ran out of tulle.

No, she isn't happy.

So, now I'm heading out the door to buy more supplies. We also have plans to go to the movies today. I'll post pictures of them in their tu-tus later. That is, if O is over her mad-spell.

A Sunday Word

But he knoweth the way that I take;

when he hath tried me,

I shall come forth as GOLD.

Job 23:10

When I cry unto thee,

then shall mine enemies turn back:

this I know;

for God is FOR me.

Psalm 56:9

Heat! I Need Heat!

(I probably need to start this post by telling you I am WELL AWARE of how blessed I am. I know that my life is great and I could have it a whole lot worse. I know this. This post is just documentation of how I am feeling at the time. So, no e-mails, please. Just please understand when a sister needs to take a moment to complain. I promise my priorities are where they should be).

When Eric and I first started dating, he had purchased a condo that overlooked the Neuse River. It really was a neat place to live. It being a 'bachelor-pad' and all was decorated .... ummm .... well, a little different. I cannot tell you how hard it was to get married, move in and slowly recycle all the decor and make it ours.

Oh, who am I kidding? His taste was seriously lacking then and I did everything I could to get rid of his decor. I'm sure I'm not the only woman who has moved into an already furnished/decorated home and not tried to change it up a bit. If I am, don't tell Eric.

Anyway, that is not at all why I am posting this.

When you are newlyweds, you really don't care about much except being together and you're willing to let a few things slide, right? But, one thing drove me absolutely crazy about that condo.
The heat. Or, lack thereof.

Don't get me wrong, it had heat. But, being a contemporary condo 'on stilts' as we say, that reached over the Neuse River and had an open floor plan with vaulted ceilings made it seem as if there was no.heat.at.all.

You think I'm kidding. I would give anything today for a picture of the two of us sitting in the living room on a Saturday afternoon watching television with our winter coats on and our 'foggy breath' as we spoke.

It was that cold inside.

And, most days I was miserable there. Well, in the winter I was.

Eric's job at the time took him out of town from Sunday thru Friday. When he was gone, I would stay in the upstairs bedroom with the door shut. It was there I would eat, sleep and watch television.

The.coldest.place.on.earth.

Because of that condo, I was very turned off to any home with a living room open to the second floor. I wouldn't consider such a house when we moved to the town we live in now. Nope, the beautiful open floor plans with their gorgeous vaulted ceilings were dead to me. Having no part of it.

Now, enter 2008.

When God started to speak to us about selling our home and we knew pretty quickly we were going to trade houses with our prospective buyers, I had one concern.

You guessed it ....



Open floor plan with vaulted ceilings. (By the way, this picture was taken the day we looked at the house and isn't my decor at all. I know I need to take an 'after' picture to show you the difference).

I recall hearing these words from Eric AND our friends ....

"Don't worry about the heat, Deidre."
"This house is nothing like that condo."
"The condo was on stilts and only had one heating unit."
"This house has two units and is a better built home."

Okay, Okay.

Now, enter January 14, 2009 when the temperatures were an all-time low since September (when we moved in). I walked in my house at 3:00 pm and it was 64 degrees. My thermostat was set on 74. And, no there is nothing wrong with my heating unit.

Here I am sitting on the sofa waiting for Eric to get home.


That's right, my friends. I have regressed. I am back to the winter coat. Inside. I am back to feeling paralyzed with icy feet and hands. Inside.

We made a lot of compromises when we bought this home. Please do not get me wrong. It's a beautiful home, but I have had to watch myself a few times wishing I was in my old kitchen ... wishing I had my beautiful finished basement ... wishing my bedroom was near the girl's, etc. I'm a creature of habit and honestly, some things have been hard to adjust to.

I am having THE HARDEST TIME watching my tongue and saying 'curse this house and it's vaulted ceilings and it's beautiful balcony!!!!' What I want to say is, "I told you so!"

But, I'm too cold to speak.

Scripture Memory #2

Here's what is keeping me going this week .....



I am enjoying this study so much. I've said before how much I love the book of Esther and how life-changing it was for me three years ago (hence the name of my blog and my URL address). I keep saying that to people, but never really explaining what I mean. A woman finally asked me Monday night, "What do you mean life changing?" Well, for me it was LOTS of things.

At that particular time in my life, I was teaching the book inductively to a class of high school girls. There are many life lessons all throughout the book like knowing your true beauty isn't on the surface, but rather inside; knowing who you are in Christ; fulfilling God's destiny for your life as you learn to follow His lead - even if it means giving up some of your own dreams; and mainly that following God NO MATTER the cost is always the best option.

As I studied the book, I knew it included an outline for how I could raise my own daughters. I pray they grow into women wanting to pour their lives into service for God's Kingdom (even if it's a stay-at-home Mom). Whatever their calling, my prayer is that their lives will SHINE for Him and they do so with passion and purpose. (that's how my URL became raising future Esthers).

There is much more to tell, but that's a brief summary. Here's one thing I know for sure ... God always teaches something different in His Word because IT is alive. Having said that, I cannot wait to experience all He has for me this time around in the book of Esther. I am a candidate for change!!!!

Today marks the day for our second scripture memory over at the LPM blog. Have you signed in? I love that she added to her post how we will continue to say our first one along with the second one we add. I just told Eric last night I would have to do this in order to retain what I'm learning.

Anyway, my second scripture is another one that I 'kind-of' knew, but need to perfect in order to recall it and look for it. It is ....

"(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal,

but mighty through God to the

pulling down of strong holds);

Casting down imaginations, and every high

thing that exalteth itself against the

knowledge of God, and bringing into

captivity every thought to the

obedience of Christ."

2 Corinthians 10:4 - 5 KJV

AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen reasons I love being 'Mommy' to my girls ......

1) I get to see them first thing in the morning. They are both cutest in their pajamas and sock feet with messy hair.

2) I get to watch them interact with each other ..... loving on each other, fighting with each other and laughing with each other. Watching them both enjoy having a sister is fascinating to me (since I had two brothers). It's certainly a different kind of relationship.

3) I get to bake some kind of baked goods with O every.other.day because the girl is fascinated with baking. She's mostly fascinating with eating during the process, but it's fun to have that time with her in the kitchen. Certainly for me, the only sweet thing about being in there.

4) I get to hold them when they are afraid and tell them they are safe.

5) I get to listen to concerts every afternoon when both girls are singing and dancing to get out some bottled up energy.

6) I get to play and act silly - not having to act my age when it's playtime.

7) On tough days, I get to hold E and just let her cry. No particular reason. I let her know I understand that sometimes a girl just has to let it out. (Eric rolls his eyes and doesn't get this at all).

8) I get to listen to E talk about boys and how she informs her friends that if they kiss a boy, they will have to marry immediately and move out of their parents' home. Amen! Of course, they will!

9) I get to read, read, read to O because this is one of the only times she will let me snuggle with her.

10) I get to snuggle with them after a bath and take in that beloved smell of strawberry-scented hair and baby soap. (Yes, we still use it and may never stop.)

11) I get to watch them fall more in love with the love of my life (Jesus) and listen to them pray for someone/something without my prompting (a passing ambulance, a surgery for a friend or a friend at school).

12) I get to see them watch their Daddy and see on their faces how much in love with him they are.

13) I get to tuck them in at night and assure them they are safe and loved.

My goodness .... only thirteen? I could go on and on ....

Weekend Update

I knew I wouldn't have time to post anything tomorrow, so I thought I would squeeze in a post tonight. Tomorrow night marks our second week of bible study in the book of Esther.

Anyway ... quick catch-up~~

Yesterday was my niece, L's party for her 10th birthday. She had it at our local skating rink. Here's a little of our conversation last week.

L: "Aunt Dee Dee, are you going to come to my party".
Me: "Of course! Where are you having it?"
L: "Skateland".
Me: "Are you kidding? I am the QUEEN of rollerskating! I am SO good! You have no idea how well I can skate! I can't wait! When is it???"
L: (looking a tad mortified) "Ummmm ... you don't have to skate. I just want you to come."
Me: "Oh, no .... I AM SKATING!!"

It was then I still wished I had my white skates with Carolina blue wheels and blue pom poms tied on the shoe laces. That's right. I was stylin' when I was in elementary school. I even had a skate case. I loved me some Skateland!

I think my brother was afraid I was going to embarrass him. As soon as we walked in, I saw all the SAME decor from when I was younger and I said, "Ahhhhh, yes!! It's all coming back to me now. All we need now are some Jordache jeans and some Loverboy playing over the loud speaker!!"

My brother wasn't amused.

He may have even rolled his eyes.

We had a blast (except for Eric changing his skates THREE times to get the right fit. What on earth? Oh yeah ... E and O skated, too and by the end of the party, O was doing 'tricks'. I call it 'falling', but she said it was 'tricks', so we went with that.

Switching subjects ......

I've gotten a few e-mails asking me how I'm doing reading my One Year Bible. I have to say, reading this must be EXACTLY what God wants for me at this time because He is making me enjoy it so much. So far, it hasn't seemed mechanical or burdensome (some concerns we all have about starting it) and I am learning a lot. It is taking me longer to get through a day because I'm stopping so often to question something I've read. That got me behind one day last week, but I caught back up last night. I keep praying for consistency and that I finish strong. We shall see...

I don't know about you, but I have a lot of people in my life right now going through some very tough things. It just seems like a lot of warfare going on all around us. The past few days have been weighing on me because of conversations I have had with several women or families that are just flat-out hurting. I don't have the answers and I can't possibly take away their burdens. But, I know WHO can.

There is a Psalm that I memorized long ago and I find myself quoting it so often - especially when something or someone comes against me or my family. Or, even if I wake in the middle of the night upset about something (does that happen to anyone else?). Here's part of it....

"Lord, HOW are they increased that trouble me!

Many are they that rise up against me.

Many there be which say of my soul,

There is no help for him in God. Selah

BUT THOU O LORD, art a shield for me;

MY GLORY, AND THE LIFTER UP

OF MINE HEAD.

I cried unto the Lord with my voice,

and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.

I laid me down and slept; I awaked;

FOR THE LORD SUSTAINED ME."

Psalm 3:1-5

What that verse always tells me is that no matter how hard my life gets, no matter how it looks for me in the world's eyes or no matter who comes against me, God is my shield and the lifter of my head. I can cry to Him and tell Him my fears and He HEARS me. I can sleep in peace because He WILL SUSTAIN me through the night.

I have needed that Word so often in the past few months.

Love that!

Rejoicing in His Word

Because I just believe God is so purposeful in His timing and His desire to comfort me, I was not at all surprised when I read THIS today. We Moms are never alone and if we serve our families inside our homes or outside our homes, both are equally important and challenging.

Thank you for your comments on yesterday's post. I was never discouraged or down when I wrote that. Maybe a few years ago, I would have let such remarks upset me, but not anymore. God has given me undeniable strength in this area and al though I get a little aggravated at times, I know where my priorities are and I'm okay.

Also, reading that post of Sally Clarkson's marks the fourth time this week I have seen the verse - Jeremiah 15:16 quoted. I don't recall ever reading the verse before, so seeing it come across my radar four times in four days in completely different ways has certainly gotten my attention. (I love when God does that, don't you?) I have seen it quoted in 4 different bible translations as well and all are good. Here's the King James version:

"Thy words were FOUND,

and I did eat them;

and thy Word was unto me

the JOY and REJOICING

of mine heart;

for I am called by thy name,

O Lord God of hosts."

Jeremiah 15:16

Sums up how I'm feeling these days ... finding JOY and REJOICING in His Word (no other place to look for it, really) and I am encouraged.

Not to sound cynical.....

Okay .. I'm tackling a subject that has been eating at me lately. I don't normally rant on this here blog, but I'm afraid the following post is going to sound cynical. I don't mean for it to. I'm just curious how others handle a similar situation (or maybe I just need to vent).

Lately, I have been craving encouragement and fellowship with other women that can relate to where I am presently in my life. Maybe that's why I have looked so forward to bible study. I have been pondering a lot about women and the lack of encouragement we get from each other. Do we truly want what is best for each other and lift each other up in prayer as often as we say we do?

One particular issue that has griped me for sometime now is the issue of TIME.

There seems to be an invisible standard that others put on a stay at home Mom. I know people looking in think you should spend all of your time cooking, cleaning, doing laundry, helping kids with homework, bathing, reading bedtime stories, etc. - all to start again the next day. All of that is TRUE, but I'm amazed at how much other women will criticize you if you just happen to let it slip you read a book or take a bubble bath.

Can anyone relate to what I'm saying?

On more than one occasion, I have said, "Oh, I just read this amazing book!" only to be interrupted by, "What? You have time to read? I could never read because I spend so much time with my children".

Or, if I talk about baking cupcakes with my girls, I get the response, "You have time to bake cupcakes? Must be nice. I have to work".

Am I just insecure? Or, would both responses leave you feeling like a) you don't spend time with your children; or b) another lunatic that feels staying home with children isn't work.

I've always said this: You make time to do what you want to do.

I recently sat down with someone (note: another stay at home Mom) that told me she felt it a shame to see women out having breakfast and lunch while their children were at MMO.

I nearly cracked up! I tell you what I would say to those Moms at breakfast .... "Way to go! Good for you! You probably need a re-charge!!"

She would NOT want to know what I do while O is at MMO. I believe if I told her, she would have slapped me with a 1950s issue of Good Housekeeping and told me to wake up.

The truth is, just about every Monday and Wednesday, I drop O off at MMO, head straight to Chik-fil-A for a chicken biscuit and a large sweet tea (amen?) and then make my way either to the library or B*rnes and Noble to read.

GASP!!

That's right! Even with laundry and housework to be done.

I know, the horror!

What's even worse - Eric encourages this kind of outrageous behavior!!

WHAT???

Some of you reading just completely judged me for that admission. Am I right?

Even after such negligent behavior, I am still falling into bed every night - emotionally and physically worn out.

I'm just discouraged that there are still women out there that don't see Motherhood as the toughest job around and maybe, just maybe a woman deserves a bubble bath once in awhile.

Listen, I have never felt like I needed to defend myself and my decision for staying home. But, lately I have felt attacked by the very peer group I am in. After such pivotal conversations, the person will leave me with, "Great seeing you, Deidre. I'm praying for you."

Ummm ... thank you, I think.

Okay, I'm off to read a book WHILE taking a bath! So there!

End of rant. More sweet stuff tomorrow.

The Bible in a Year

First, a question .... have you ever read the entire bible? Are you one that sets out to read the bible in a year?

I have to say that more than once, I have had the desire to read the bible start to finish. As a new Christian, a co-worker gave me a ONE YEAR BIBLE as a gift (a light blue Precious Moments Bible to be exact). I thought that was a brilliant way to start my new found faith. I remember putting it on my nightstand and determining to read it nightly as I went to sleep.

Honestly speaking ... put me to sleep it did!

I'm not sure there is anything less interesting to a brand-spankin' new Christian girl than reading all about the genealogy in Genesis and wondering what on earth??

Funny.

I do remember learning a lot that year (ummmm ... more like month) and making it all the way to February with my new reading plan - learning about Moses delivering His people out of Egypt. Seems that's all the stuck at the time.

That was seventeen years ago (yesterday marks 17 years I have been saved!! Thank you, Lord). Since then, I have tried several other times to read through the entire bible. I have a ONE YEAR BIBLE now that I purchased after I first had E. I thought it may be my only way to ever read the bible again = in between naps and feedings.

I still have that bible and use it, but haven't used it for the purpose intended .... to read the bible in a year.

I picked it up last week and put it back on the kitchen counter (that's where I used to keep it when I first bought it). I have read it every day and I can't really explain it, but I feel different this time. Maybe I'm all grown up :) Or, maybe I'm just so hungry for God and His word, it all fascinates me now. When I leave the house, I stick it in my bag and read it in the car line (any way I can to get it in). God has already been using this time to speak to me. I'm already falling in love with the Psalms in my reading so far, but I have even enjoyed Genesis - ha!

Anyway, I am trying it again and am already enjoying it so much. So, I was encouraged today when I read Vickie Courtney's post on her experience with this precious bible. I love that she buys a new one each year. I have never marked in mine, which I think is part of my commitment problem. When I write down something I have read, or record what I have learned, it sticks with me. At the end of the year, she talks about how worn her bible is, so she looks for a new one. Love that.

So, check out her post and know that it's not too late to start reading.

Wow, with reading the bible in a year and our memorization challenge .... we will be some serious forces for the kingdom of God by the end of the year, won't we???

Beach or Mountains? I'll take both...

I meant to post something yesterday. I really did, but just never got around to it. I spent the day getting ready for our first bible study meeting last night. I felt unusually calm the entire day (thanks to those praying) and had the best day anticipating this study.

We had a great time last night and I am encouraged that a few women may even come back next week. Ha!

Right this moment, I am snuggled in my bed with O beside me. She's watching Mickey M*use Clubhouse and I just finished my first day of Esther. I am so tempted to blow off the rest of my responsibilities today and stay in bed and finish the full week of work. I just know this book is that good. But, in doing so, my family would starve, not have clean clothes and the bills wouldn't get paid. I digress ..... I must get up.

We're back to the land of the living this week with E in school and piano lessons, O in MMO and Eric's last week of work at his current job. I'm dreaming of a vacation! Do any of you dream of a vacation after the holiday break? I love to have summer plans set in January so we can look forward to something. Al though, I think we may need to take some short weekend trips before then. Not sure what we'll get to do this year, but I'm dreaming of something warm and sunny. Of course, the mountains always sound good to me, too.

We shall see .....

Drama Queen

We're already TWO days into the New Year! This is the last day of E's 'vacation' from school and this morning she asked if we could keep from bothering her all day because she wants to play in her room and enjoy her last day.

I let her spend the night with a friend on New Year's Eve. That night marks the first time she has ever been allowed to spend the night with anyone other than grandparents. I just knew she would call me at bedtime and want to come home.

Didn't happen.

Instead, she called and said something like, "Goodnight, Mom. Love you". Click.

It's possible she was forced to call me at bedtime.

When Eric picked her up yesterday afternoon, she had stayed at her friend's house exactly 20 hours - 8 of those were spent sleeping. Yet she walked in, looked around our home and said, "I think I remember this place. It's all coming back to me now".

Drama queen.

I'm going now to 'bother' the queen and let her know that her bed still has to be made and her room cleaned ...... even on the last day of vacation.

A girl can never catch a break, can she?

Pictures of E one year ago ..... time is flying by!

Happy New Year

Wow, I cannot believe it's 2009! Can you?

I'm awake bright and early this morning. I can never sleep in late on New Year's Day. I'm always excited to get to my bible and journal and write down my prayers for the year. I've had a neat time this morning looking back over my journal for 2008 and seeing God's hand. This year has been full of valleys and mountaintops. I feel like I have been on the wildest ride of my life. Without God, I KNOW I would have buckled under pressure. But, He has sustained me and blessed me. He is the GLORY and the LIFTER OF MY HEAD! (Psalm 3:3-5).

I cannot wait to see what 2009 brings. I'm praying to face it full force and not fear anything the year might hold. One thing is for certain - without Jesus, I won't be able to survive a thing (or truly see the blessings, either). I need Him!

I've chosen my verse for the memorization challenge. I admit I had a difficult time choosing. One reason I believe God layed this passage on my heart is because I quote it often, but never get it right. I love what it has meant for Eric and me over the past few years, but mostly it explains what my prayer is for a new year - for God to do a NEW THING in my life. I love to look back and see what He has done, but I am ready for what is ahead - NEW. So, I chose....

Isaiah 43: 18-19

"Remember not the former things,

neither consider the things of old.

Behold, I will do A NEW THING,

now it shall spring forth;

shall ye not know it?

I will even make a way in the wilderness,

and rivers in the desert."

Exciting things are ahead for my family and me. Eric begins a new job in a little over a week. I haven't said anything about it here, but watching God pull that off over the past few months has been amazing. I'm not exactly sure what all this new job will mean for our family, but Eric will be surrounded by strong, Christian men and that alone is a blessing.

We are still deep in the study of Ruth in Sunday School. I am enjoying it so much and am tempted to drag it out just so we can continue to stay in this book (just kidding). The book of Ruth has been a perfect picture of Christ and His redeeming love for us. It has been water for my soul!

We begin the study of Esther on Monday. Would you commit to praying for this study and the women in it? Talk about a new thing! ... I believe God is going to change lives with this study in the coming weeks. I'm asking Him to.

Lastly, I want you to know how much I appreciate you! This blog has been a blessing in my life. It's a silly way to dump my thoughts, brag on my sweet girls and record a portion of what God is doing in my life. Thank you for taking the time to read it (and sometimes comment). I love how God uses the unusual things to bring people together.

Happy New Year! I pray 2009 is a blessed year for all of you!