Black, White, and a Bear

Today was black and white and "bring your favorite bear" to school day. We had to rummage through Jenna's closet to find something black and white but I think we came up with something pretty cute. Her bear won "fluffiest bear". They also went on a bear hunt (remember that song?). I have to say I just love the preschool years (hey, maybe that's why I am a Preschool Director). Everything is so simple. Don't get me wrong, it's challenging and we have our moments, but these years are just so precious.

Medieval Times

Sunday, January 20th we went to Medieval Times for PaPa's birthday (David's Dad). This is a relly cool show with knights, good food, and even a princess. The arena is shaped like a football field and the size of an ice hockey rink. They bring food to your table all during the show. Everyone had such a good time. Don't have any pictures with my camera of everyone because they are very strict on where you use your camera and everyone was excited to get inside to our seat. We did purchase the one they took for $20.00! Besides that, we had a great time.

Happy 67th birthday. PaPa.

Menu Plan Monday

Feels like I am finally getting back to a good schedule after holiday busyness. One of my New Years goals was to try 2 new recipes a month. So far, I have stuck to it. One month-WOW!

Monday-Taco Pie (new)
Tuesday-Chicken casserole, corn, green beans
Wednesday-leftovers
Thursday-salmon, asparagus, baked potato, salad
Friday-chicken Parmesan, broccoli
Saturday-not sure, Daddy's working
Sunday-crock pot barbecue sandwich for lunch (new)

Tip Junkie

I came across the really cute blog called Tip Junkie. Thought you might like the "tip". Ha

I've Been Tagged-14 questions

Jodi tagged me for this meme:

1. Coolest birthday you remember: My 40th (2006). David had a big birthday party for me with a bunch of family and friends. My aunt made a collage of me over the years. How embarrassing!

2. Do you prefer hosting parties or attending as a guest? I enjoy both but probably attending is my favorite.

3. What color is your bedroom? The walls are painted a sage green. Comforter has red, gold, green.

4. Do you and your man have a song? What tune makes you swoon? My husband and I love music. Our song started out as "Soul Provider". It was David's song to me and he played it on the night he proposed. I love "Feel Like A Woman" by Martina McBride as my song to him. But "Let's Make Love" by Tim and Faith makes me swoon-hee hee.

5. What were/will be your wedding colors? Would you change them? Traditional black tuxes. The girls wore peach. I don't believe I would change it.

6. Ever sneak out of the house or host a wild bash while the ‘rents were away? What’s your wild child tale? Never really snuck out of my house but I did a friends and yes, I did have a bash while they were away. Mom knows all about it now! My boyfriend had to mow the lawn to get rid of tire marks in the yard.

7. You just won the lottery! Do you stash your cash or pass the bucks? What are the first 3 things you’d do? First I’d tithe, then pay off debt and buy a new vehicle, then I would definitely help others.

8. You oughta’ be in pictures…which actress stars as you in a movie of your life’s story? This is a hard one! I really don't know. Maybe Brooke Shields? Ha!

9. What’s your go-to meal for quick comfort? First choice would be Steak N' Shake but that's not very quick.

10. Everyone has ups and downs. What’s your hardest learned lesson? That God loves me just the way I am regardless of my past (or present) failures.

11. What advice would you give to 18 year-old you? Enjoy the years when your kids are young! They go by so fast. Watch how you spend your money.

12. Favorite board game: Sorry

13. Dish it! What’s your “me time” guilty pleasure? TV. If I get to go out, it's shopping and Starbucks.

14. What’s one thing you’d like to learn to do in 2008? Get my pictures organized on my computer, power point.

Pray for Nicole

For those of you that pass by my blog, please take a moment to pray for my sister Nicole. She is having surgery on Wednesday to repair 2 disks. Some time back her neck was hurting. She went to a chiropractor and ended up getting two ruptured disks from the treatment. The chiropractor was new and apparently did not do x-rays before treating her. The surgery will be disk replacement and not a fusion which is usually what they do. This surgery will allow her to move her head from side to side. Since she lives in Kentucky I am finding myself getting more and more emotional lately about not being able to be with her. A few more things to pray about:
1) That the "ball" used for the replacement will fit.
2) For her 4 children and husband. The children are ver nervous and worried about their Mom.
3) For my Mom as she helps out during recovery time.

Please leave a comment so I can send them on to her. Thanks!

Love you, Sis. You know I'll be there as soon as I can!

January 22nd update-insurance did not approve the surgery. Please pray for God's perfect plan and wisdom for Nicole and doctors as they decide what the next step will be.

Deboshun

Last week I attended a prayer conference by Henry Blackaby, author of "Experiencing God". (That is for a later post.) It was truly life changing. I'm sure we have all struggled with our quiet time. We try to get up early-the kids get up early. A child wakes up sick. The new baby doesn't sleep all night. And if we do get up early we only have about 15 minutes to squeeze in our time with the Lord. Doesn't He deserve more than that? Mr. Blackaby spoke about praying without ceasing and living in the spirit of prayer 24/7. My friend Jodi and I were talking about how in the world do we do that with so much noise in our house? You can feel like it's not even worth trying, can't you? Well, I think I got my answer the other morning. I got one child to the bus stop, one child on the bus at home (my kids are at three different schools this year. By the time I deliver everyone 4 hours has gone by. From the time I get up to the time the last one is settled) and sat down at the table to do my devotion. Jenna was home that day and Pooh was blaring in the background. Here is the conversation that followed:

Jenna: "What cha' doing?"

Mom: "I'm doing my devotion."

Jenna: "What's a deboshun?"

Mom: "Well, a devotion is where you read your bible, pray, and write in your journal."

Jenna: "Oh"
The next thing I know, Jenna is pulling out her Bible and all her supplies. "I need to have my deboshun", she said.

Wow. I knew right away the Lord was telling me to just do my best. If something happened that day and I couldn't get up (that has to be 5:15a.m. for me), it's OK. Just give Him my best all day long. 24/7. That is a teachable moment I will never forget and cherish forever. If our kids never see us in the word how will they know it is a priority for us?

A few days later Jenna had her "diary" out writing stuff down. She said, "How do you spell I wish I could go to Hawaii?"

How's that for a prayer request?