24 is BACK!!!!

Jack is back!!! Which means that Big Daddy and I will be planted in front of the TV for two hours straight tonight!!!

I am not sure if I should be jealous or not...cause I think Big Daddy might love Jack even more than I do. But then again, who doesn't love Jack!!!

Meet the Family Part 1

I am nearing my 200th post and I can hardly believe it. I have to say that blogging has kept me sane this past year, and in a way has really calmed me...or at least helped me with processing my life and all that in entails.

I have been a little neglectful these past few weeks, but even after the holidays, we still had/have family staying with us, so instead of processing via blogging I have been doing it in real time with them.

Speaking of family, I don't think I have ever given anything more than just general stats when it comes to our extended family so I thought I would highlight one or more of them over the next week so that you can get to know me a little better by getting to know the gallery of laughter that I come from.

No faves or anything, but since I would like to included pics of who I am talking about I will start with the grandparents and make my way down.



First up, my grandparents, who go lovingly by Grammy and Pops. They live here in Small Town MS, only a mile from us and we see them regularly. Grammy is retired, but you would never know it. She is a great cook, and my go-to-gal when it comes to southern cooking. She is also an amazing pianist and has been playing at her church for more than 30 years. Pops is retired X2 from both the Navy and from a civilian job. On top of that, the man can not sit still (or Grammy won't let him) and has been at his current place of employment for 13 years. He loves to hunt, and often takes my boys to go along. He makes no bones about the fact that he loves the nap he gets as much as the possibility of taking down a buck.

They have four kids, my mom being the oldest. The youngest we lovingly call, "the Chosen One" but I have to admit, if I found myself sick at forty and thought it was menopause only to find out I was pregnant, I would probably have some "choice" feelings as well. We all love "the Chosen One", and we let him know it...often. I should give full disclosure, that while my title is not as wide spread as his, I am pretty much the chosen one when it comes to grandchildren. Mainly in my youth, since I was the first and only for many years...did I mention that "the Chosen One" and I are only 4 years apart? Yeah, so I think that the glory of "the Chosen One" rubbed off on me a little. (or at least that is what I tell all the other grand kids as to not hurt their feelings.)

Anyway, my favorite thing about my grandparents is this...when it comes down to it, it is all about family. And family means love and laughter, and Grammy's famous taco's if we're lucky.

I actually met my hubby, Big Daddy, while I lived with them for a semester during my college years(that's a whole nuther...I live in the south remember...story) Big Daddy said that if either of my parents had had an issue with us getting married(since they didn't get to know him before we got engaged) that he would ask Pops for my hand in marriage, and that if we got His blessing, than we would be okay.

That says a lot, since on our first date, Pops met Big Daddy in the yard and told him he was at the wrong house...and something about goin' inside to get his gun. They would have to tell it, but just picture it if you can.

More later...but since I have a big family, we might hit 250 by the time were done.

Stay tuned. If you have a crazy family you will feel right at home, and if you have a normal, boring family you will be enlightened.

We got a new dog....

Since nothing else needs my attention, as I sit and eat Bon Bons all day and watch Soap Operas, my DH decided that we needed to take in a dog that someone needed to find a new home for. She is totally precious, and full of love, but HELLO, now my kid to dog ratio is even...which in turn means that we ARE TOTALLY out numbered on ALL FRONTS.

Here are the details, and I will post a pic soon.

Her name is Maxie, she is a Reverse Brindle Boxer, and she is about 16 months old.

Our other dogs are adjusting, but Bruno is being very protective of Beauty, which makes for a tussle every now and again. (I used "tussle" to remind you how out numbered we are...and that all the involved parties are NOT ALWAYS getting along.)

Her best characteristic is that she is very loving, and very attentive. She looks you in the eye when you give her love, and sits down right at your side with a little lean into you, just to make sure you know she needs you. Our others are loving, but in a hyper way. I wonder who will influence who.

Lord help me.

About Last Night 1/02/09

So last night my husband and I snuck out to the deck for a few moments to play with our new cell phones...he got a new Pantech Slate and I finally activated my anniversary present, a new iPhone. We were not outside for 2 minutes when the boys come out and start bugging us about playing the Wii before bed. We oblige, as to gain a few more minutes of play time for ourselves, and they head into the living room to play Guitar Hero.
I kid you not, 30 SECONDS later they are in a full knock down drag out, about to hit the living room floor in a tussle. I come storming in and of course they are both blaming each other, claiming innocence for themselves. I had had enough, so I sent them to bed...no questions asked. My explicit instructions were these:

1. Don't look at each other
2. Don't talk to each other
3. Brush your teeth
4. Get in bed
5. Not a word, not anything.

Crack brushes his teeth first, while Snake gets the bunks ready(they are rooming together since we have company). About 5 seconds after Crack enters the room, he comes running up front mad that Snake is aggravating him and messing with him...he is so mad that he pleads for me to give him the go ahead to lay him out....with my blessing...I was cracking up...but tried to keep my cool and a straight face. I send Crack to bed and call Snake up front for an explanation.

My first words were a recounting of the above rules....loudly. Then I asked him why he broke them, especially when he was already in so much trouble. He replies, "I didn't Mom." I am flabbergasted and told him not to mess with me. I gave him the rules AGAIN and then asked again why he went back there and aggravated his brother. He said, "I didn't break the rules Mom!" To which I met my eventual downfall by replying, "How did you aggravate him without breaking the rules?"

With a straight face he replied, "I took my little dog and waved it in his face...but I DID NOT TALK OR LOOK AT HIM!!!!"

Please tell me I am not alone...please weigh in that you too completely loose face when trying to tow the line with your kids.

I was a goner...their was no point of return...if a kid can find a way to make a way without breaking the rules....I am all in...as in all in the middle of the floor, falling out!!!!

Washed by the Water

Christmas has come and gone, the New Year is upon us, and the rain is falling hard with frigid temps right behind it. I have sat down so many times to try and catch up...but something just wasn't right.

I am pretty much an open book, I share everything with everyone...hence this blog, but lately I have sensed that some things need to be kept close at heart and that, in and of itself, is a challenge. I love the journey of life, I love my family, I love connecting with people, but sometimes I just need to to process things within my own mind and heart....especially when it happens to be matters of the heart. Not as in love, but as in matters of my heart and where it is laying its treasure. The Lord is doing things, I would love to say mighty things, but when the process is painful and long sometimes the minuscule becomes trivial.

Right now my lifesong is Needtobreathe's "Washed by the Water". The chorus is powerful it says,

Even when the rain falls

Even when the flood starts rising

Even when the storm comes I am washed by the water

That is how I feel right now..that even though the process is rough, the cleansing power of the rain is worth it. So rain on, Lord, reign on Lord, over me and all that I have. Over my mind, Lord, cleanse it and keep it meditating on your word. Be the Inn Keeper of my heart Lord. Rain on.

Not Me Monday 12/22

This is my year end edition of Not Me's...a little trip down memory lane.
A final farewell to some of my not so great moments in 2008.

I did not start a kitchen remodel with one budget and then end up spending 4x that amount...cause that would mean...well I guess that would mean that I have a REALLY AWESOME kitchen.

During the same kitchen remodel, I did not actually have a come to Jesus meeting with my ceiling...knowing of course that such a great and Awesome God would have no time for such idle things. But if I did not do that, then I would have missed an AWESOME work of God in me during the meeting with the ceiling and Jesus...and believe me...I was there.

I did not act a fool when my oldest boy played baseball this season. Cause I am one of those sit quietly-mind my own business-never give the ref my point of view-and I never ever raise my voice....honestly, I am all those and love it. I am actually the mom who will even cheer loud and proud for your kid, if you are one of those that I am not.

I did not cry this year when I realized that my baby girl is growing up. I thought for sure that she would stay tiny and toddler like since I asked so nicely, but no she is 5 going on 15 and even though I am sad that my littlest one's littleness is fleeting, I am so proud of the lady I know she will become.

I did not witness this exchange between Big Daddy and the Beez while trying to get the kids in bed:
"Beez, don't make me come back there and close your door" (she was crying about having to go to bed)
(through sobs and tears) "I don't have a door Daddy"
While remodeling the house, we replaced their doors, so technically she HAS a door, but it isn't hung yet, because we are going to replace her floor also(after the new year)...nothing like a guilt trip for Dad.

I did not almost loose my pants during a boat-turned-swim race while chaperoning at church camp this summer. While everyone was yelling at me to get out of the lake and tag the next teams hand...there I stayed in the mere 18 inches of water, trying to get my black yoga pants from my ankles to waist. Of course, if my partner would have rowed better, we would have never ended up IN the lake instead of skimming along on its surface.

I did not wash my favorite cell phone in the washing machine. Cause when you love something you take care of it. Of course, if I never washed it, then I wouldn't be the proud owner of an iphone...not me.

I did not just get done wrapping 60+ gifts...and I am still not done.

I did not sneak one more gift under the tree that my hubby is totally not expecting.

I am not blogging right now instead of getting ready for our Christmas Party on Wednesday night....because I HAVE NO TIME!!!!

Tea for Two

Quite possibly the best picture of Micah...EVER!!!! This was of course from the Mother-Daughter Tea that we attended last weekend. Isn't she ADORABLE!!!! More to come as I can get them uploaded, but I just couldn't wait on this one.
This photo make my case for investing in a really great camera...a girl can dream right???