Yes, My Lord

I thought long and hard about this post. I prayed about it. I'm praying about it now. I hope that it doesn't get misread. Last night I thought God spoke to me. The more I think about it and relive what was said, it was the Holy Spirit.
My husband and I had gone to bed but I wasn't tired yet. I wanted to read something inspiring before I closed my eyes so I grabbed A Cup of Comfort for Women by Colleen Sell. I flipped to the back and read the excerpt titled "Laura: Moving Friends Forever". The point of the short story really isn't the point of this so I won't go into detail. Hubby had been snoring during my reading and after I turned out the light. I nudged him in the side as I always do. Then I said "honey, you're snoring again".
Then a voice. "Oh come on, would you just stop." I was like what? Was that my conscience? No. That was a voice but I thought I heard it in the room. But in that moment I knew I had heard some one speaking to me. In my mind. I thought about what they said to me and decided that I would let my tired husband be. Snoring and all.
So when I finally start listening to the Holy Spirit speak to me and I get a scolding for picking at my husband.


All of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another: for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18

Top 3 Thursday- Blogging

It's time for this week's challenge (or not so much of a challenge) of answering the Top 3 Thursday question.
This blog carnival was started by Confessions From a Working Mom and the (Un)Experienced Mom
So when you've read mine, head on over there and check out what some of the other ladies have said and maybe even do your own.

What are the Top 3 Reasons why you blog?

3. I love to write and I don't claim to be a very good writer but it allows me to vent and get things off my chest. I am able to just talk about things I know or have experienced in my life without being judged by the real people in my life if they don't understand where I'm coming from. If some one reads my work in "blog land" and they don't agree they just don't comment. At least in my experience.

2. INFORMATION, the wealth of knowledge. I am curious about other people's opinions on deep subjects. I love finding great blogs that have tips to share, recipes that they love, great parenting advice and photography how to's.


1. Friendships and meeting new people. I have met (on here) some amazing ladies who write wonderful blogs and have so much to share. I love sharing my loves: my husband and children, with all of you.

"ALL Aboard!"

Woot Woot!!! Tooot Toooot!!

Planes, Trains and Automobiles................were the highlight of Little E's evening. Not too bad compared to how his evening started after picking him up from daycare with a pain in the ear. The verdict: an inner ear infection. Feeling bad I let him stay up a half hour later than his normal bedtime and let him play with some of his favorite toys.

I ♥ Faces: "Hands On"

This weeks photo contest at I heart faces was "hands on" fun. I just started following their blog and this is my first entry ever. I'm nervous and excited all at the same time. I thought that maybe I had captured some cute pictures of the kids hands and then I came across this shot from last Easter. It is of my husband's hand with a freshly colored Easter egg. I couldn't resist the colors in this picture!

My Crazy, Silly Kids

I asked the kids to make a silly face for the camera. Miss Kay did a pretty good job.
Little E, well let's just say we need to work on his.. It still makes me laugh though.


He did get his tongue out.

Not Me! Monday

Have you not been sneaking chocolates from your kids candy stash while they sleep or not faked being asleep when your husband asks for a back rub? I haven't either! Welcome to Not Me! Monday a blog carnival started by MckMama over at www.mycharmingkids.net where you can tell about what you have not been doing all week.


I did not tell my husband that I don't like Sicilian pizza for two days and when he finally ordered one on Friday night eat a piece and enjoy it.

I did not give in when my son threw himself on the floor to have some gum. I also did not convince him that he could hold the pack in his hand while he finished eating his breakfast first. I would not bribe my child, not me!

I did not ground my daughter for a day after getting a bad behavior report at school on Friday and tell her that she could not play with her friend on Saturday, while I am at work and daddy has to enforce it. I wouldn't put my husband through that torture of a whining child while I am away, nope not me!

I did not bathe my kids and the new puppy together in the bathtub to kill three birds with one stone.

I did not give my husband full power to pick a new mattress set without me there.

I did not take my son out of a pull-up from his nap and when he answers that he doesn't need to go , listen to a 2 1/2 year old. I know better than that. Then I did not ask him after having a potty accident "what happened?", knowing full well I should have taken him.

I did not buy the new puppy a dress to wear at the pet store. It was not on sale.

Beautiful Christian

When I say that 'I am a Christian', I am not shouting that 'I am clean living. I'm whispering 'I was lost, but now I'm found and forgiven.' When I say 'I am a Christian' I don't speak of this with pride. I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide. When I say 'I am a Christian' I'm not trying to be strong. I'm professing that I'm weak and need His strength to carry on. When I say 'I am a Christian' I'm not bragging of success. I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess. When I say 'I am a Christian' I'm not claiming to be perfect. My flaws are far too visible, but God believes I am worth it. When I say 'I am a Christian' I still feel the sting of pain. I have my share of heartaches, so I call upon His name. When I say 'I am a Christian' I'm not holier than thou, I'm just a simple sinner who received God's good grace, somehow!

Top 3 Thursday- Television

Every Thursday Confessions from a Working Mom and The (Un)Experienced Mom have a blog carnival called Top 3 Thursday. They pick the topic and we answer the question and link back. This week's question is:

What are your Top 3 favorite TV shows?

I admit it I watch alot of television. It's the result of growing up in a household where the tv was and still is alway"s, yes ALWAYS on. It's a habit that is very hard to break but I have weaned myself from the just watching to be watching" lifestyle. Bad thing is that a lot of the shows out there are reality shows like Big Brother, Survivor, Amazing Race, The Biggest Loser, I could go on.... and as much as I enjoy watching "real" people being themselves on tv, I hate to see them go when it's over.
Moving right along cause I'm sure this is what you really want to know....

3. ER I loved this show. I started watching it regularly the season that George Clooney and his on screen flame Julianna Margulies were leaving. What made this show so interesting to me was how they would introduce a new character and at first you may not like them. Then one of your favorite characters either dies or leaves and you find yourself "in love" with the newbie. I did not miss an episode of that show for 10 years. It was broadcast on Thursday nights where I live and my hubby whom I was dating in the early years of my obsession with this show, knew that those nights were off limits. I was so sad to see it go this last year that I refused to watch the last 3 episodes. I still have them saved on my DVR.


2. MERCY My husband got me watching this show. Last year when they showed the preview my husband was very eager to see it and set up the DVR to tape it. I think I was hooked after two episodes. It's got great comedy, some tender love stories and who doesn't love an dysfunctional Irish family. I'm still gunning to see if Veronica's ex-husband hooks up with her new flame's sister. Time will only tell.


1.Nip/Tuck I won't go into to much detail about the show. I will say that I NEVER watch it in the presence of my children. It is rated NC-17 for a reason. I don't watch it for the sex scenes. I really like the character Christian, he is my absolute favorite. Yes, if you have ever seen the show, he is an egotistical, self-centered jerk most of the time but he has his tender, loving moments. I have been watching this show since Season 2 and I am sad that this is the last year. I really hope they answer some questions about things but I'm not holding my breath.


There you have it in a nutshell.

Fear

Are you afraid of something so much that it makes your chest tighten? Do you have a genuinely, white-knuckling fear? I do. I think we all do. My fear is being alone in the dark. I am fine if it's just dark outside and some one is home with me. But when you combine nighttime and me being alone, I'm squeamish. I am shuddering with fear just thinking about it.
This post came to my mind last night while I was in the bathroom washing my face. I was getting ready for bed and my husband had fallen asleep before me. I would rather fall asleep before him so in my mind I would know he was the last to be alone.
I have been stressing about the thought of being alone because my husband is going on a hunting trip next month. Originally it was going to be day trips in the morning and he would be home each night. Plans changed and now he will be leaving on a Wednesday night and won't be back until Saturday night. 3 nights alone. I do not want to spoil his alone time, in the woods, with his family, enjoying some much needed "manly" time. So I have been biting my tongue about my fear.
He knows how I feel about it. He knows I get scared. I know that I have an alarm on the house. It has a panic button. I know that my parents are a phone call away. What if my power goes out in the middle of the night? What if some one breaks in the house anyways? What if? I need to suppress my what ifs. I'm getting better.
I think having my husband, as my husband works. He loves flashlights. We have probably 10 of them in one house. Two of which are police issue type and can be also used as a night-stick. I used to think his obsession with flash lights was ridiculous but I don't think so anymore. I now see it as a security blanket for me. I don't hyper ventilate anymore when the power goes out in the house. I know where at least three flash lights are if I need one. They are strategically placed around the house. My husband must know I need them in the same place at ALL times. So I think this year I may be able to handle being ALONE IN THE DARK.

I'm still worrying about it until that week gets here. I have a few weeks to prepare myself for those days. Hopefully God doesn't plan a rainstorm that weekend. If that happens the power might get knocked out. Living in the woods on a dirt road definitely has it's disadvantages.

Needle and Threads

I know this is a retarded post, but when your child owns half a dozen or more jeans and all of them have holes in the knees it begins to frustrate me. My first thought was that they were cheap quality. Then I figured that she was being rough with her clothes.That sounds like a logical answer. She is just 6. Well 6 1/2 if you ask her.
But I think it 's a combination of both. I just don't get it. Jeans when I was a kid were thicker. Yes, the knees did wear out but that only got you iron on patches in the knees. At least in my house growing up. Something that my mother suggested I do for my daughter's jeans. I wrinkled my nose at the thought of patching her jeans. I figured that she can just have holey knees. I think that it's in style, right?
I mean she is only 6 1/2.

Not Me! Monday

I did not order a triple chocolate muffin from Dunkin Donuts on Thursday along with my usual cinnamon raisin bagel, I would never consume that many calories in one breakfast.

I did not get to Dunkin Donuts on Friday in hopes of another triple chocolate muffin and become so bummed about my muffin that the clerk offered me to special order one. I did not order one or two. Not me!

I did not tell my husband on Friday that I reserved a movie on the Redbox and then convince him it was easier for him to stop and get it. I did not fall asleep on the recliner that same evening at 9:30 and miss the movie. I would never rent a movie and then not stay awake to watch it. Then I would not wait to watch said movie on Sunday afternoon during the Daytona 500. I would never make my husband turn off his NASCAR to watch a romantic movie on Valentine's Day.

I did not set my children in front of the tv in my bedroom with reese's puffs cereal and teddy grahams while I tried to eat a nice dinner with my husband on Valentin'es Day. Nope, not me!

I did not ignore my laundry ALL week while it piled up in the laundry baskets.

I was not running late on Wednesday morning getting Miss Kay to school and had to drive down the short cut dirt road which was covered in muddy water.Feeling completely embarrassed about the muddy condition of my truck, I did not take my it through a car wash and pay $9.00 for a drive thru car wash. Nope, Not me!

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Top 3 Thursday- Valentine Issue

Today's post is in response to Confessions of a Working Mom's new weekly meme Top 3 Thursday. This weeks question is.....
Our inaugural topic is...
What are your Top 3 Valentine's memories?
(Could be dates, movies, restaurants, gifts...)
3. The very first time that my husband( at the time he was just my boyfriend) took me to a restaurant for Valentine's Day. It would have been 1996 and we dined at the Outback Steakhouse Restaurant. He didn't make reservations and back then they did not have "call ahead seating" so we had to wait a little while. But I was pretty much in bliss, so it didn't matter.

2. After purchasing our very first home, we spent our first Valentine's Day eating in. We put our daughter, who at the time was 18 months old, down to bed early and cooked this extravagant meal of steak, shrimp, corn, garlic bread, potatoes and a bottle of wine. Needless to say, we were so tired from cooking this large meal we struggled to eat it.

1. This by far is the most memorable. Hubby and I were dating at the time and he had saved his money to take me out for a nice evening. We didn't know where to go and he wasn't the romantic type so he asked my mom for some suggestions. She looked in the local newspaper in the entertainment section and found an ad for a "fly-in" restaurant near a local, small airport. Let me say, we should have called ahead to see if there was a dress code. That place was the Ritz. Ladies were wearing fancy, sequin dresses and guys were sporting dinner jackets and ties. The place even had a pianist wearing a tux. Boy, did we feel out of place wearing our blue jeans. But..we did our best to enjoy the evening and had a delicious dinner. And of course we'll be able to look back and laugh about it now.