Kiss Me!

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crys.

Happy Birthday!!
You are one of my newest friends - but somehow you have already 'wormed' your way right into my heart!!
I love you and I hope your day was "restful..."

meems.

Yes, that was a wonderful playdate!
Yes, I am so glad we came!!
Your espresso rivals Starbucks any day.
You are one of my most favoritest people! I was actually laughing on the way home because you are so energetic naturally that I feel like I need espresso to keep up with you!!
I love you!
Thanks for having us over.
(Sorry about the chocolate milk spill and whatever other awful thing my 'perfect' kids did that I don't know about...)

Funny girl.

Every once in a while one of the kids will say something that just tickles me.
Tonight we were driving home and A. said, "Momma, are you driving me?"
I said, "Well yes, babe, I am."
Then she said, "Are monsters pushing us?"

Big shot.

Little A. had her 3-year checkup yesterday.
She got 2 shots and didn't even cry.
She did fret a bit - but no tears.
So brave.
I am so proud of her. She is everything a momma could ask for in a daughter.
What a sweet, sweet girl!!

Jupiter.

I have to write this stuff down for posterity.
My 4 year old son read his first word by himself phonetically yesterday.
It was "Jupiter."
Don't ask me how.
He's a child genius!!

hodge-podge, part deux

Apparently I shook things up a bit in my hodge-podge post.
I have made the decision, along with my husband and family.
It appears that now is not the time to pursue this dream.
I have long hoped that my music education and vocal training would someday pay off as a stable and long-term career.
Since Chris and I started dating, he has known that someday I wanted to sing professionally for the military ensemble. We've talked about it several times at various points in our relationship.
There is a soprano position open right now. I would have to audition. If I were chosen, I would also have to make a 3-year commitment of enlistment. But my job would be singing in choir. Sounds like a honey of a deal, for someone.
It has been such a pleasure and a blessing to be at home with my children. I want to soak it in as long as I can. They are only babies for so long you know. But someday, if I were wishing on a star - I would love to get to sing in a professional choir or at least be employed in the field of music.
I'd even do backup vocals for Willie Nelson... someday. hehehe
But for now, it's the stuff of dreams to get to see my babies develop into such wonderful people. Being able to be here with them takes the sting out of stepping on a lego flag or barbie high heel barefoot, I think being away from them would hurt a lot worse.

Ya just need Jesus!

Admittedly, it has been a long time between gulps from His stream.
It is inexcusable that I let my tank run so low when He is always "standing at the door and knocking..."
I have decided to do everything that I can to make it happen.
I am a worshipper by nature. I feel like a fish out of water when I do not plunge into worship fairly regularly.
I guess there's no better way to say it, I just NEED Jesus!
Obvious. Simple. Attainable.

My best moments lately with Him have come during my morning shower. He calls me gently to His feet. He speaks soft words of affirmation.
He allows me to wash His feet. I feel so alive. I feel purposeful.

My breath is meaningless without the underlying current of praise to Him Who has breathed into my soul and made me live.
So with each breath I take, Lord Jesus, please let me be filled with an aroma of worship for You.

I have fallen from a regular pattern of mindfulness of Your place in my life.
I need Your gentle nudge as I begin anew with a worshipful heart.
I don't want to wade ankle deep in Your stream. I don't want to take a gulp only once I become parched. I want a steady flow - which is always accessible - So much that what spills off of me drenches those around in an atmosphere of most holy worship.
Let Praises of Your people encircle Your Throne.
Let the majesty within Your creation remind me of that for which I was created.
Each time I see something wonderful that You have made, I will choose to praise You for it.
When I see the innocent love in my children's eyes, Lord let me emulate it.
With each passing moment that I am given to worship You, Father, I yearn to soak the hem of Your garment with my unashamed tears.
Let the words of my mouth be Yours - wise and edifying.
Let the deeds of my hands be directed in honesty and humility.
Let the thoughts in my mind be Yours - pure and holy.
All things that are not from You, Lord, I ask that those things be purged far from Your dwelling place.

I am Your servant. A vessel molded to pour Your love through. I want to rise to that potential in You. I live to earnestly adore You. Amen.

This is the type of post I would not normally post but I need a certain level of accountability.
I need to honor my pledge. So I have to put it out there.

HoDgE-pOdGe.

It is definitely premature to post anything about what I've been mulling over the past couple of days - but I would like to ask for any prayers you could offer up. I am thinking/praying about taking some preliminary steps to begin what would end up looking a lot like a career.
And the reason it is difficult to even consider is because it would mean LOTS of changes in our family.

My biggest concern right now is that what looks great to me personally and might truly satisfy my own ambitions - may also have a negative effect on my family as a whole. Of course, if I could predict that going in, I would not even consider it - but I can't, so therein lies the dilemma.
I want what is best for my family, our relationships with God, and our finances to align themselves perfectly.
So direction - I need direction. Thank God I know the 'Guy' with the road map...

It's like my letter to Santa this year. I wanna know what I'm gonna be when I grow up...
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Wendy - thank you! You may never know what a relaxing and wonderful evening you provided for us tonight. The atmosphere, the company, the food - all of it, TERRIFIC!! I am blessed beyond measure to have a friend like you. Thanks so much! I'll have to return the favor soon!
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seph- I drove by your house tonight, as promised, to look at this fabled tree. It is lit up like Rockefeller's!! You really did wind lights around branches for a whole day, didn't you?
Magnifique!
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I finished painting my dining room table tonight! I love it! Even if money were no object, this dining room set is what I would have! I am so very pleased with the way this "Do It Yourself" Project has turned out. Pictures to come. (I have to wait for the paint to dry before I can push the chairs back in.)
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I have been a bona fide basket case for at least the last 3-4 weeks. If you have unsuspectingly walked into my hormonal fury, I apologize. If you have skirted around the whole event, consider yourself lucky!
Camezi and Scraps have led me on a multi-vitamin revolution and I anticipate brighter days ahead! I already feel dynamite in the emotional health department and it's only been a few days. I guess my body was revolting on the M&M and diet soda regime...
Thanks for your advice girls - sometimes it's the obvious stuff that eludes me!
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I have looked forward to few things as I have this Progressive Dinner on Friday night!
I am literally salivating. Yes, I do anticipate great grub - but more than that, I am going to see most of my dear friends in a social setting without having to redirect kids or be yanked about the church foyer by naughty noodleheads. It's pure adult socializing with some of my favoritest people!!
I can't wait!!!!!

Mental Health Break.

My wonderful parents have taken my kids for the weekend.
I was woefully irresponsible and watched tv with my hunny for like 3 or 4 hours straight on Friday night.
It has been a long, long time since we were both here at the house with nothing pressing on us. We were able to just be together and enjoy one another's company. It was great!
The kids have been really sweet, according to my mom, but she's biased. I don't think waking up at 4:30 am ready to play is very sweet at all - but that's just one opinion. ;)
I was able to get lots of stuff done today. Not the least of which was sanding and staining my dining room table, grocery shopping, ceiling fans cleaned, light bulbs replaced, etc. All that rainy day stuff that you can somehow never find the time to do.
Tomorrow morning my angels will be with me again - and I am ever so ready for that!

That's about it.
Not great reading. Just life.