Tag....I'm it!

Welcome to the 2008 edition of getting to know your friends. Okay, here's what you're supposed to do, and try not to be lame and spoil the fun! Copy this entire email and paste into a new email that you can send, change all the answers so that they apply to you. Then send this to a whole bunch of people you know, INCLUDING the person that sent it to you.
So, that was the message that I received via email. I guess you can say I'm lame but I promise I'm not trying to "spoil the fun". I decided instead of sending it on to all those in my address book, it would be best if posted here on the blog for those who are interested. You see, I understand that some of you are out there working and don't have time for things such as this. And, I understand that you might like reading and just not want to take the time to respond. It's okay :) My sister in law has my oldest for the afternoon and my sweet baby is sleeping so, I am currently off work and don't mind answering all of the following questions:


1. What is your occupation? Mommy and Wife and I take my job seriously!
2. What color are your socks right now? White. I'm shocked that I can even answer because I rarely wear socks but my sweet husband rubbed my feet in lotion last night and today has been so busy that I'm still wearing them! Yes. I know. I should be in the shower rather than smashing my bottom in this desk chair!
3. What are you listening to right now? The hum of my antique fan....love it!
Don't you laugh, Leslie!!
4. What was the last thing that you ate? a bowl of wild rice and chicken soup homemade by my dear friend, Chera
5. Can you drive a stick shift? Wouldn't risk it. But have before.
6. What color crayon would you be? I would rather be a sharpie! I like the boldness of the marks they make and would like to know that I can make an impression like that- permanent!
7. Last person you spoke to on the phone? David- my best friend and hubby :)
8. Do you like the person who sent this to you? Of course I do- my cousin Karen. We are the only girls on that side of the family....that is until I was blessed with a daughter!
9. How old are you today? 28
10. Favorite drink? Diet Coke w/Vanilla or on a not so diet kind of day- Dr. Pepper w/ vanilla
11. What is your favorite sport to watch? Daddy/Clayman golf...anywhere, anyday
12. Have you ever dyed your hair? yes BUT...I was always the one who was scared and so I picked a color so close to my natural brown that it wasn't super noticeable.
13. Pets? Maxx a Siberian Husky who lives with my parents and Cleve a chocolate Lab who lives here with us.....both are up for grabs!
14. Favorite food? Are you kidding...this one is way too hard to answer! By the way, do you know where all these pounds come from that keep showing up on my scale?
15. Last movie you watched? If you know me well, you know I fall asleep during movies. I can't even remember and I'm trying to hurry through this. I still haven't showered today!!
16. What do you do to vent anger? Sometimes, well maybe too often, I yell. My husband and son hate when I do that. I wish I could find a new way.....like going on a walk alone?
17. Favorite Day of the year? This is another hard question that I wish I had time to meditate on. I love Christmas because of it's special meaning. But I also love my children's birthdates. I more than ever this year enjoyed our anniversary. It was so exciting to look back over the seven years we've spent together as one! And, "they say" that year 7 is the hardest- looks like we are in this forever together!! I love you, David!!
18. What was your favorite toy as a child? I think it's safe to say that I had an obsession of Strawberry Shortcake miniatures.
19. What is your favorite, fall or spring? I love them both. I like the flowers blooming and the smell of football in the air. How can you pick between those?
20. Hugs or kisses? Depends on who they are from :)
21. Cherry or Blueberry? yuck. Can I have strawberries or peaches? I don't even like those flavors of Chapstick!!
22. Do you want your friends to email you back? Sure. But maybe a comment on this blog would be easier :)
23. Who is most likely to respond? Leslie or my mother in law
24. Who is least likely to respond? Not sure since you never know who's reading your blog
25. Current living arrangement? In a house with my husband, two children and a big dog (he's in the back yard!)
26. When was the last time you cried? Earlier in the week when I dropped an ottoman on my feet.
27. What is on the floor of your closet? It's hard to see the floor...shoes, hampers, luggage,...
28. Who is the friend you have had the longest that you are sending this to? Since I am not sending this to anyone just posting it for all to see this question isn't applicable. However, I would love for all to respond and remind me of just how long I've been blessed with you as a friend!
29. The friend you have had the shortest that you are sending this to? ditto from above
30. Favorite smell? A baby fresh from the bath tub, a husband after a shower, supper at my mom's, and the beach!
31. What/who inspires you? Chera. A dear friend who is so honest and loving. Bible studies on Monday mornings. Praise music in church on Sundays. And my Uncle Pete because he really believes that I can do it!! He didn't always though. He is the only one who sent me away to college with a challenge. He felt sure I would be back within six months. He sure was proud when I graduated in the Loveliest Village!
32. What are you afraid of? Life without my husband or one of my children. I get sick at the thought of losing any of the three!
33. Plain, cheese or spicy hamburgers? Cheese
34. Favorite car? one that's paid for!! I'm grown up now. I don't need all the bells and whistles, just enough room for carseats :)
35. Favorite cat breed? I prefer dogs.
36. Number of keys on your key ring? two. One to my house and one to my car.
37. How many years at your current job? Since I truly believe that being a wife and mom is the job God has given me for now, seven years would be the right answer.
38. Favorite day of the week? This is silly. It depends. I love anyday that we all four are happy and healthy and have no obligations outside of having family time.
39. How many states have you lived in? 1- Alabama
40. Today's date and time: 6-26-08 3:07 PM (and it's my mom's birthday! Happy Day, Mom!)
41. Prefer Beach or Lake ? Beach (but the lake days with my family were always lots of fun!)

Be still and know that HE is GOD

I am constantly reminded of how I should be more childlike in God's eyes....always caring for others and being in awe of the wonderful world around me.

Last night, with all the athletic ability and grace in me I dropped the ottoman on my feet- yes, both feet! Let's just say that I was in pain....more so than I can recall when giving birth...either time! Because I was crying, the little gentleman in my house started to do the same. "I just don't want my mommy to be sad. I want her to be happy" he told his daddy. So then I cried a little more, happy tears because I have a son who cares so much for others. But it didn't stop there. I was still crying in the tub later and he came to check on me. "If you need me I will be in the living room with Daddy and you can call." How many times do I offer or am I willing to drop everything and go running when someone calls my name??

On another day while we were enjoying the summer weather and swimming in the pool, my smart little guy noticed a bird perched on the fence. "Look! A bird!" he shared with much excitement. We all agreed that it indeed was a bird and then he had one more thing to say:

"God made that!" Again, we agreed....with smiles. Wow! I try to remind myself often that God made everything....but I wonder how often birds fly by or stop in front of me and I don't notice??

Because of my sweet boy, I will try harder to listen when my name is called, stop and notice the birds and praise the Lord for the magestic world around me :) Won't you do the same??

little things

I have this weird feeling in my stomach and I know it's because I'm trying to hold back tears- because I am happy and sad all at the same time. Ever been there?
I started off this morning with a walk down our street. I was planning on writing a post about little things that make me smile. When Mr. Bill passes me each morning (whether he's headed home from his morning stroll or in his truck headed to the golf course) he smiles and waves or speaks....it's so nice to see happiness on the face of that gentleman and I always, I mean every time, find myself smiling too! I enjoy so much walking down the street during the time that neighbors are leaving for a busy day at work. Saying "good morning" to complete strangers makes me feel so good. Those little things in life...
And then, I couldn't help but want to post about this too- these new blogs I keep finding. My newest favorite is Bring the Rain and if you read backwards into it far enough you'll understand why. I think I might be discovering my own spiritual gift by the way. I read a new one today called Our Amazing Mary Grace. They both are about families who lost babies. I know, you think I'm crazy because I like to cry and read these sad stories. Okay. So, maybe I am a little different. But it's not the sad stories and the videos that draw me back time and time again. It's the amazing strength that these moms have and it's the awesome power of Christ and their faith that brings me to tears. I feel that through these other people I am growing in my Christian walk and that is so important.
Maybe you aren't so much into the "bloggy" world. It definitely takes time away from other tasks I should and need to be doing. But, if it helps me with my daily walk with HIM, then it is so worth the time!! Try it sometime.....click on a favorite in my list, click on one of their favorites, and you never know where you might go - You might find some "little thing" that makes you smile:)

more photos

every moment is one to treasure~

Another blog to enjoy

Speechless? Or should I say amazed?
I would love for you to take the time to read a blog that I was just introduced to today. Before you do though, let me set a stage for you. Clay is playing with his cousin today at my mom's house. David has gone to run a few errands. I am here because Addison was sleeping and I decided to let her rather than wake her up to go with Daddy. So, David tells me to just rest while he's gone. "I'll help you with those clothes later" he said as he left.
I thought about doing the laundry, making beds, and all the like. But instead, I decided to check my email. A message with a link carried me to http://www.audreycaroline.blogspot.com/ and I have been drawn into the words in an amazing way! I am so glad that I chose not to fold clothes or even go with him for the morning. I needed to hear these words. I needed to share in the pain. I needed some quiet time with God, even if it was quiet time with HIM and a sister in Christ that I don't even know.
The blog is from a mommy, like myself. Except this is a mommy with absolutey incredible faith. And she is a mommy who has suffered great loss. Her words touched my heart and brought me to reality....that's one reason I used names here....instead of the "blog names" I usually use with my family. Our life stories are real and we are real people. And her stories are real....her faith in Our Lord is real and it's amazing.
I cried so much when I was reading her blog that I had to gain my composure so I could even see the screen to post this blog. My t-shirt neck is all stretched out and wet from wiping my face on it. I couldn't slow down to get a tissue! I don't pray that you will shed tears over this blog, but my prayer is that you will see the wonderful works of the Lord in fellow believers like this lady. And my prayer is that you and I both will embrace each moment that God gives us and learn to enjoy it as if it is our last. Praise God for the mighty and many ways in which HE works!!
I have to stop typing now so I can go hold my precious baby girl~