Stepping Up with Beth Moore

So I'm in another bible study at church and before I even knew what the study was about I had decided to skip it.

I figured I had just done one in October and my heart just wasn't really into doing this one.

But thankfully God has a sense of humor because when I told him, umm God I think I'll sit this one out. He laughed at me. Not just any laugh but a big belly laugh.

We are studying Beth Moore's Stepping Up: A Journey Though the Pslams of Ascent.

The group actually started last week but I wanted to go a little deeper into the study before I mentioned it.

It's about going deeper with God. Taking the next step in your relationship with Him. To go where He where He will guide you.

I know that sounds scary to some. Going into the unknown. Even if it is with God, the unknown is a scary thing.

Not me. I'm excited. I'm actually pumped about this study.

See God knew what this study was about even long before I did. An ascension. A journey drawing me nearer to Him.

And this is one of the things I have been praying for. A closer relationship with Him. So yea, God laughed at me when I said no to this study.

Because this is exactly where He wants me to be. Stepping Up to Him.

Well here's what we did this weekend.

I know y'all are excited to hear about what we did over the weekend.

We hopped a private jet and took off for France. NOT! Although that would be nice.

Friday night R2 had his best friend come over and spend the night. I love having him over. He's a great kid and they play so great together. No fighting or arguing, it's great.

Saturday morning we got and I made breakfast and then at 12:30 we headed out to pick up R2's cake and have his birthday party. We had a family party last weekend and this weekend was the one for his friends.

We went to play laser tag. I like the place OK but to be honest I hate that they limit you to only 8 kids, because they charge an arm and a leg for any extras.

On the plus side, the place over booked for the time slot we had and they stuck us in the private room at no extra charge. I was glad because that room is $80.00 more.

After the party we came home and unloaded the car of the left over cake and presents. And R2's friend went home. After that I was wiped out so we did nothing the rest of the day.

Sunday morning was church and after we got home and ate lunch, I promptly got in the recliner and took an hour and a half nap. It was G-L-O-R-I-O-U-S-!

And some where in the weekend a few loads of laundry were done, bed rooms cleaned up, and I lost count how many times I cleaned the kitchen.

That was it. Nothing much. Nice and relaxing.

Oh wait, we did sign up the boys up for baseball. I know, how could overlook that.

Clearly I wasn't thinking.

They are the Houston Astros

I saw this article the other day and just about came out of my skin.

Hubs thought I was going to have a coronary right in the livingroom.

Those of you that have been around here for a while know my love of baseball especially my Houston Astros.

I think I'll just call ol' Jim on the phone and tell him he's lost his freaking mind.

Yeah, that will go over big.

Maybe I'll just send him an email.

Blogger Interface

So the other day when I was signed into Blogger, I hit the button that said, "Try the updated Blogger interface".

Three words...I hated it!

And because I was so freaking frustrated that I had changed it I could figure out how to go back.

All I can say it thank goodness for Hubs. The computer smart man that he is, he fixed it! Can I get an Amen?

Hello Blogger,

I do not like the new style. And that's putting it nicely. And if you don't send this message to the next 5,327 people you know with in 10 minutes of reading this bad things will happen. I'm just sayin'.

Thank you.

Birthday rainbow cupcakes

For R2's birthday at school this past Friday he and I made rainbow cupcakes. 

Thank you Pinterest. 

I had no idea it would be that easy, a little more time consuming but easy. 

Here are a few pictures of what we used and how we made them. Oh and they were oh so yummy!

No oil and no eggs

They smelled so good!

Pretty!

Cupcake toppers I made earlier in the week

The birthday boy!

 

Happy 7th Birthday R2

So my baby is turning 7.

7.

I can hardly believe it. We made rainbow cupcakes from a recipe I found I Pinterest. I will post pictures later. 

But here are 7 things I love about him.

1. He has infectious laugh.

2. His smile lights up a room.

3. He loves God.

4. He is very witty.

5. He likes to play outside...all the time.

6. How when he says he loves me he always says,

"Don't forget I love God the most."

7. He says his Dad and his brother are his best buds!

Happy Birthday R2. I love you!

Mr Winter where are you

OK it's middle of January and we have temperatures in the mid 70's. 


Really?!

I'm over this heat. I want it cold. 

Not a freezing, below zero for weeks on end cold but I would like say 40's-60's and no rain and lots of sunshine.


That's not to much to ask?

This mild winter can only mean one thing...a very hot summer. 


UGH!!!

 

Ready for baseball season

So this past weekend after the Texans lost to the Ravens in a play off game, I was reminded of some thing....

Astros training camp begins on Februayr 19th! WOO HOO!!

I'm so over football season and ready to watch my two favorite baseball players.

My legs are J-E-L-L-O

So the kids and I are still doing the 30 shred. We are on day four and already I feel improvement.

But for some reason tonight the leg part of the exercises kicked my booty. Every time I take a step the feel like jello. I mean the video is only 20 minutes but it's 20 minutes of constant movement and

Oh my aching legs.

OK moving on.

I just keep reminding myself of and inspirational saying I saw on Pinterest...

It doesn't matter how fast or slow you go, just remember you are lapping everyone sitting on the couch.

Harry Potter marathon

Friday R1 came home from school and went straight for the couch to lay down. I knew right off the bat he didn't feel good.

He said he couldn't get warm and I could see he had the chills. I checked his temperature and he didn't have one but he still felt warm so I gave him Tylenol.

He ended up falling asleep and staying there most of the night until he got up around 2:30AM and he was burning up. Another round of Tylenol and some throat spray and back to sleep he went.

Saturday morning I woke up and had that mothers intuition where I knew R1 needed to go to the doctor. So off we went to Urgent Care.

Sure enough, his throat was red and infected. And since R2 had strep three weeks ago and two weeks ago I had a throat infection, the doctor gave him some antibiotics and a steroid pack.

When we got home he went straight back to the couch and got under the covers. Then he asked if we could have a Harry Potter marathon.

I don't think I could answer YES to him fast enough. We love Harry Potter. And since R1 got both part 1 and part 2 of The Deathly Hallows for Christmas our collection was now complete.

We snuggled up and watched all eight movies. It took us two days but we did it. And we enjoyed every minute of it.

Oh and by early Sunday afternoon R1 was back to his old self.

Shredding

So R1 and I have started to work out. We're shredding actually. Well really it's the 30 Day Shred by Jillian Michaels.

I'm sure many of you have heard of this. I even blogged about it sometime ago when I purchased the video. And true to form, I never opened it. It sat unopened for over a year. I know I know I had every intention of opening it and working out. And you know what they say about good intentions.

Anyway Tuesday R1, R2, and myself put that DVD in worked out for 30 minutes. And I am going to admit it. I AM OUT OF SHAPE! Level one kicked my booty. Sad sad sad.

But the best part of the work was Hubs. When Jillian said she had 400 pound people that could do jumping jacks and we needed to do the jumping jacks, Hubs came out of the kitchen took his shirt off and did a few fast jumping jacks. R1 then told him he need to keep jumping because his belly was still giggling.

I almost peed in my pants I laughed so hard. It was to darn funny!

And last night when we worked out again, R2 keep telling us to "keep going" and to "suck it in"! When I thanked him at one point for the motivation. He said you're welcome, that's what personal trainers do.

Oh how I love that kid.

More than just paper

I saw this link on Facebook yesterday. Thank you Becky

Please take time to read it.

I was so touched by the post, that I haven't stopped thinking about it all day.

We actually had a family photo session schedule for awhile. But I had to cancel because R2 accidentally smacked his head on our coffee table and it left a nasty knot and bruise.

But once the bump and bruise are gone, we will be having our photos done.

And yes they are more than just paper.

I just miss...her

Today marks three years that Pam-Maw has been gone.

I still think about her most days.

I miss the sound of her voice. I miss picking up the phone to call her. Early on after her passing, I caught my self more than once dialing her number. I hung up after the first three digits.

I miss seeing and sitting by her in church. It's funny we still sit in the same pew but we have moved down a little and if someone comes to sit her spot I feel a little defensive, like it's still her spot and no one should sit there.

I miss stopping by her house on our way home or on Sunday after church, just to see her.

I guess I just miss her.

Lighting up the new year, thanks Home Depot

So our fluorescent lighting in the kitchen has been giving us some trouble for a while. We have tried to make do but I finally had enough and broke down and went in search of some new lights.

Lowe's sucks stinks!

Just thought I would throw that out there first thing.

But Home Depot is AWESOME!! (and not they aren't paying me for this endorsement but if they want to throw gift card my way I wouldn't turn it down.)

And now I guess you can tell where I purchased our new lighting. I have been in that store three times in the past two days and each and every time I went in, someone greeted me, offered to help me and even went above and beyond.

The other store, not so much. I walked in and was greeted and that is where the nice service ended. The boys and I stood on the lighting aisle and a worker walked past us not once but twice and never asked if we needed anything or if he could help us. And when I finally had to go and hunt him back down, he grunted. GRUNTED. I asked him if they had any more of a certain style light available and even asked him to check the stock above. I told him EXACTLY what I wanted and he kept telling the wrong information. He even told me one of the lights I was looking at was for residential use and when I pointed out that the box clearly stated commercial, he grunted again. I had to ask him point blank if they had any of the lights I wanted and he finally said I guess not.

Why I even thanked him for his help was beyond me. I grabbed the boys hands and off to Home Depot we went.

When we straight to the lighting aisle and as soon as I got there I saw a lady and asked her for help, she immediately got on the intercom and ask someone to come help me. That some one was a wonderful employee named, Eric. He was so helpful. He answered all of my questions and even offered numerous tips on installation and other factors about residential and commercial. I was impressed. He even offered to load the light into my cart but I told him I need to call my husband first. He said when I was ready to let him know and he would help me.

While on the phone with Hubs another wonderful employee came over and asked if everything was alright and did I need help. I told him I was OK and was just comparing prices to the crappy other store while on the phone. He then told me he would match the other stores price. Sold. I asked him to load up the light and lets go check out. I also went over to the next aisle and thanked Eric for helping me.

The gentleman walked me up to the register and rang me up himself. And he not only matched the price but took another three dollars off. NICE! And after that he walked me out to my car and loaded the light up for me. I thanked him several times and the boys and I were on our way. The only regret I had was not asking him for his name. The name section on his apron was covered by a pin with at least two dozen service awards pins. And I personally think he deserves another.

Hubs installed the light over the weekend and it works and looks wonderful. But the edges of the the new fixture are just a little smaller than the old one. So back to Home Depot I went to see if they sold some kind of trim kit. Again I was greeted and helped immediately. The store didn't sell a trim kit but I knew Hubs could make one of molding. And when I mentioned this to the salesman, he said he was just going to tell me about that and he even walked me over to the molding section and pointed out several options. And when I went in search of finishing nails the salesman on that aisle was just as helpful as all of the others.

Once Hubs and his dad get the molding cut and nailed up, I'll show you a picture.

But the bottom line is this: I will be shopping at Home Depot exclusively from now. They had the best customer service, the most knowledgeable employees, and a great selection of in stock items.

Thanks Home Depot, YOU ROCK!

On with the new year

Happy New Year!

I hope everyone had a great New Years Eve. We had a great time with friends that came over. And we ate and laughed, and popped fireworks and ate some more.

I have been doing some thinking about the past year recently. While 2011 wasn't the best year, it certainly wasn't the worst. But I wouldn't be honest if I didn't say I was glad to be moving on.

2011 always starts off with me missing Pam-Maw as she will have been gone for three years on January 4th. But then something wonderful happens as we celebrate the birth of R2 who will be turning 7 towards the end of the month.

Oh baseball season is just around the corner too.

R1 graduated from elementary school and moved on to Jr. High where he has been doing great. All that worrying done for nothing. R2 graduated from Kindergarten. We also found out he was dyslexic, but we also got and early start on the help he needed and he is making such wonderful strides in First grade. I am so thankful for the Kindergarten teach he had and the teacher he has now.

I also made it through the summer with 127 degree heat along with no rain and lived to tell about it. We are still in a drought even though we have had some rain, but it hasn't been nearly enough to catch us up.

One of the big highlights of 2011 happened just recently. Hubs graduated with his Masters degree in Educational Technology Leadership. The boys and I couldn't be more proud of him.

Another amazing thing that happened in 2011, is I began in earnest to pray everyday. I wanted to develop a closer prayer life with the Lord. So I asked him everyday to lead me to prayer time with Him.

I can honestly say God does answer prayers. Each day if I got distracted or to busy, the Lord gently nudged me and reminded me to pray. I thanked Him each day for bringing me closer to Him and for leading me to that time.

While I won't go into all of the specifics of what I prayed for, there were things I prayed every day and things I thanked Him for too. Such as the blessings of my husband, my children, family, friends, health, the ability to worship Him openly. I also prayed for the future wives of boys.

But here is the part where I know our God listens and answers prayers. Hubs and I had an issue that arose around October. I prayed everyday about this situation. He says to ask for specific things, so I did. And last week the issue resolved itself. That was almost three months of prayer everyday. I prayed the same specific prayer each time. There were also other trying moments of 2011 that I went to Him and just simply asked His will to be done. And no matter what the out come, I would do whatever it was He wanted me to.

I am so glad the Lord placed on my heart to have a deeper relationship with Him. I have been blessed over and over by this time with Him.

As we begin 2012 I pray each of you has a wonderful year filled with blessings.