So I had a bad day yesterday. The type of day, you just want to stick the kids in their beds all day, sit on the couch eating ice cream and watch John and Kate or Monk ALL DAY LONG!!
I hate days like that, makes me feel guilty.
So when Matt got home, and I was literally counting down the minutes til his arrival, I told him I knew who and what to blame....
.... the Economy. (I capitalized it b/c it seems to be a real person according to some.)
Honestly, have you noticed how all the news channels update you on 'The Dow' and 'The S&P' like it's Dave and Jim.
Here are some examples, feel free to use the same examples in your everyday life:
(Names have not been changed to protect their identity.)
Chloe was slightly rude yesterday. "It's Economy's fault"
Cooper is snot nosed. "It's S&P's fault."
I was so tired yesterday. "Economy."
I grind my teeth at night. "Economy."
The trash man came early today. "Economy."
Dinner was late. "Economy."
The leaves are falling. "Must be that bad Economy."
Halloween is today. "Economy."
I can't lose the last 8 pounds. "Economy." Even if I starved? "Economy."
My dog at my homework. "Dow's fault."
The lines at Wal-Mart are crazy busy. "Again, Economy."
Tampa Bay didn't win the World Series. "Economy."
I responded to a mass email about an Oklahoma Law and everyone got mad and heated. "Economy."
My pillow isn't as fluffy as it used to be. "Economy."
My hair isn't getting as straight as it used to. "Economy."
My feet are a size 8.5. "Economy."
Cooper's poops stink. "Umm, that is both Dow and S&P."
Chloe pooped on the potty 6 times. "Economy."
I don't want to make dinner tonight. "Economy." (Think Matt will buy that?)
You get a speeding ticket, just tell the officer. "Sorry sir, but don't you realize it's Dow's fault I was speeding?"
So see, when your kids complain or your husband is late home from work, just tell them, "It's Economy's fault." Or if things are going good, blame Economy, Dow or S&P b/c as we all know now, our moods depend on it.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Cable & Birth Commonalities
I recently had our cable plan upgraded. We had the 'lifeline' plan which include ALL the church channels, the network stations,PBS (praise God for Sesame Street still being on), and a few random others. I think it went to 23 and we had partial viewing of 24.
Now channel 24 is ESPN.
When the cable guy connected our cable, we were able to see ESPN. Was it clear? No, it was in black and white. Was there sound? No, we watched it on mute. Did this drive Matt crazy? Yes, especially if football teams were wearing uniforms that were white, which is just about every game, it made it difficult to distinguish 'your' team from the enemy.
This football season, Matt had had enough. So one day while he was at work, I called and had it upgraded to channel 59!!! So now that includes ALL the purple haired lady I can handle, the networks, the psycho politically partial to one party or another channels, ESPN & ESPN 2, Food Network (Yah), Discovery (Yah), AND TLC (WAHOOO).
So TLC has the famous 'John and Kate Plus 8' show. Which I had never seen, but now love. Even Matt likes it.
TLC also has the 'watching other women give birth, go through excruciating pain, all while being filmed' show. Before kids, this show gave me nightmares. After kids, this show gives me nightmares.
I don't know about other woman who have squeezed a baby out their 'hoody hoo' but there is something wrong with this show.
I CAN NOT WATCH IT!! I have tried. All the screaming, and screaming and screaming is a little too much for me.
Did I scream while in labor? I asked Matt this question because I didn't think I did, but I had to make sure.
"Hey Matt. Did I scream and moan while giving birth?"
"Uhh, with Chloe you screamed until the Doctor told you to shut up. Then you told him, 'shut up and that he was killing you'. He then replied with, 'Please, lets be realistic.' With Cooper.. No, you were really quiet. I can remember you pushing and no one was counting b/c we were ALL focused on the baby coming out and you opened one eye and looked at us like you were saying, 'Hello? Do you want me to keep pushing.' But no you were really quiet with him."
"Ok, I remember yelling with Chloe, but that was because I didn't have an epidural. I didn't think I yelled with Cooper. And I do remember everyone forgetting about the woman who was doing ALL the work. Thanks by the way."
"No problem. Good job by the way."
"Ya, I know."
My point to all this reliving of the past? I can't watch the 'scream and moan and push' show. I have tried to be all "ohh, this is so sweet and beautiful."
No, it's not happenin'. I'd rather watch 'Word World.'
Now channel 24 is ESPN.
When the cable guy connected our cable, we were able to see ESPN. Was it clear? No, it was in black and white. Was there sound? No, we watched it on mute. Did this drive Matt crazy? Yes, especially if football teams were wearing uniforms that were white, which is just about every game, it made it difficult to distinguish 'your' team from the enemy.
This football season, Matt had had enough. So one day while he was at work, I called and had it upgraded to channel 59!!! So now that includes ALL the purple haired lady I can handle, the networks, the psycho politically partial to one party or another channels, ESPN & ESPN 2, Food Network (Yah), Discovery (Yah), AND TLC (WAHOOO).
So TLC has the famous 'John and Kate Plus 8' show. Which I had never seen, but now love. Even Matt likes it.
TLC also has the 'watching other women give birth, go through excruciating pain, all while being filmed' show. Before kids, this show gave me nightmares. After kids, this show gives me nightmares.
I don't know about other woman who have squeezed a baby out their 'hoody hoo' but there is something wrong with this show.
I CAN NOT WATCH IT!! I have tried. All the screaming, and screaming and screaming is a little too much for me.
Did I scream while in labor? I asked Matt this question because I didn't think I did, but I had to make sure.
"Hey Matt. Did I scream and moan while giving birth?"
"Uhh, with Chloe you screamed until the Doctor told you to shut up. Then you told him, 'shut up and that he was killing you'. He then replied with, 'Please, lets be realistic.' With Cooper.. No, you were really quiet. I can remember you pushing and no one was counting b/c we were ALL focused on the baby coming out and you opened one eye and looked at us like you were saying, 'Hello? Do you want me to keep pushing.' But no you were really quiet with him."
"Ok, I remember yelling with Chloe, but that was because I didn't have an epidural. I didn't think I yelled with Cooper. And I do remember everyone forgetting about the woman who was doing ALL the work. Thanks by the way."
"No problem. Good job by the way."
"Ya, I know."
My point to all this reliving of the past? I can't watch the 'scream and moan and push' show. I have tried to be all "ohh, this is so sweet and beautiful."
No, it's not happenin'. I'd rather watch 'Word World.'
Pumpkin Patch Adventures
Chloe at the patch in 07. I was pregnant with Cooper. This year, I did not dare do the patch with out Matt. I can remember how miserable I was last year and how hard it was lugging around myself, chasing Chloe and carrying two very large pumpkins. It was aweful, so aweful in fact, that when I got home this day, I cried and vowed to never do that again.
But doesn't she look cute.
It's hard to tell, but he had a runny nose.
"How bout this one?"
"Well, maybe not. I'll just sit on it."
"Or kiss it bye."
"How bout this one!!!"
"It's perfect Dad!"
"OK, so I'll sit on one and hold the other."
"It was heavy, so now I'll just pose."
"Daddy, you're silly."
" 'Sat, sat Momma?" (sat=what's that?)
But doesn't she look cute.The pumkin patch this year... Notice Matt on Chloe's left. I told you I made a vow to never go back alone.
Riding out to the patch.
Riding out to the patch.It's hard to tell, but he had a runny nose."How bout this one?""Well, maybe not. I'll just sit on it." "Or kiss it bye.""How bout this one!!!" "It's perfect Dad!""OK, so I'll sit on one and hold the other.""It was heavy, so now I'll just pose.""Daddy, you're silly."" 'Sat, sat Momma?" (sat=what's that?)"I see it! It's a ractor!!" (ractor=tractor)
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Sometimes...
... I like to say what I feel even though that may offend. If you haven't figured that out yet, you haven't been keeping up with my posts.
I received an email the other day, that helped calm my fears of what may happen come November 4, 2008.
Here it is below:
17 For the Scripture tells Pharaoh:
For this reason I raised you up:
so that I may display My power in you,
and that My name may be proclaimed in all the earth.
Romans 9:17 (HCSB)
Wise people are very concerned about the future of America regardless of who is elected in November. Let us cast ourselves upon the mercies of our great God and beg Him for His intervention in the course of our nation. We have been morally bankrupt for a generation; we are now facing financial catastrophe and the growth of federal power and authority unlike anything we have ever seen.
We must pray for God's will to be done in the upcoming election, even if we may not be pleased with the outcome. God raised up Pharaoh for His sovereign purposes. He may not give us the President we want; but He may give us the President we deserve or need in order to (1)chasten us and (2)to demonstrate His power and purpose.
People, we must pray.
Pastor
The same person sent me a link that I found very interesting. Here it is Click Here.
Am I biased? Yes. Should that offend you? No b/c you are probably biased in your own right.
I received an email the other day, that helped calm my fears of what may happen come November 4, 2008.
Here it is below:
17 For the Scripture tells Pharaoh:
For this reason I raised you up:
so that I may display My power in you,
and that My name may be proclaimed in all the earth.
Romans 9:17 (HCSB)
Wise people are very concerned about the future of America regardless of who is elected in November. Let us cast ourselves upon the mercies of our great God and beg Him for His intervention in the course of our nation. We have been morally bankrupt for a generation; we are now facing financial catastrophe and the growth of federal power and authority unlike anything we have ever seen.
We must pray for God's will to be done in the upcoming election, even if we may not be pleased with the outcome. God raised up Pharaoh for His sovereign purposes. He may not give us the President we want; but He may give us the President we deserve or need in order to (1)chasten us and (2)to demonstrate His power and purpose.
People, we must pray.
Pastor
The same person sent me a link that I found very interesting. Here it is Click Here.
Am I biased? Yes. Should that offend you? No b/c you are probably biased in your own right.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
There Is A Season
In the front of my house are two struggling trees. Two springs ago, 2007, we received a ton of rain, in fact our town flooded.
With that much rain, the two trees in the front became weak. The Mr. was the first to let go of one of his main branches. The branch had fallen on the neighbors driveway. Matt was at work, so I had to tend to the Mr's injury. I cried as I stripped him of his arm. A few days later, the Mrs., out of sympathy for her mate, let go of one of her branches. I cried again as I cleaned her up and hauled her appendage away. My husband and wife trees block the suns summers rays in an attempt to keep my house cool. They work hard but it's a battle they will not win; my house is too old and poorly insulated, yet they still try.
I've been watching the husband and wife very intently lately. The husband as begun the change. It's subtle, but also like a beacon. The Mrs. is following suit, last year she just let go without putting on a show. She let her husband take the spotlight.
Every year, the same thing happens. We take it in stride- the trees losing their leaves. If you live in the climate, it's like a birthday- it happens every year.
As I was cleaning my kitchen counter, I noticed the squirrel's pecan tree, in the back, was hurriedly letting go of his leaves- why the rush?
I began to think about my Dad's wife. She's Chinese. Where she grew up and lived as an adult, the leaves stay green, they never change. Her first fall in Oklahoma, my dad was away on business. I remember him calling me and telling me Christine was having a hard time. I asked why. He told me because of the season-fall. She wasn't used to seeing the trees 'die' and the world turn gray and sad and slow.
I remember that day. I remember having an epiphany if you will. This change happens every year, for the most of us, and I just take it for granted.
I grew up on the lake. If we went to Tulsa, we drove over the lake. If we went to school, we drove over the lake. No matter where I went, I had to drive over the lake to get there. What usually surrounds water? Trees, beautiful trees.
Growing up, I loved watching the trees out do each other in beauty.
I hope the Mr. and Mrs. can make it through the winter. I don't think I could handle losing them altogether.
With that much rain, the two trees in the front became weak. The Mr. was the first to let go of one of his main branches. The branch had fallen on the neighbors driveway. Matt was at work, so I had to tend to the Mr's injury. I cried as I stripped him of his arm. A few days later, the Mrs., out of sympathy for her mate, let go of one of her branches. I cried again as I cleaned her up and hauled her appendage away. My husband and wife trees block the suns summers rays in an attempt to keep my house cool. They work hard but it's a battle they will not win; my house is too old and poorly insulated, yet they still try.
I've been watching the husband and wife very intently lately. The husband as begun the change. It's subtle, but also like a beacon. The Mrs. is following suit, last year she just let go without putting on a show. She let her husband take the spotlight.
Every year, the same thing happens. We take it in stride- the trees losing their leaves. If you live in the climate, it's like a birthday- it happens every year.
As I was cleaning my kitchen counter, I noticed the squirrel's pecan tree, in the back, was hurriedly letting go of his leaves- why the rush?
I began to think about my Dad's wife. She's Chinese. Where she grew up and lived as an adult, the leaves stay green, they never change. Her first fall in Oklahoma, my dad was away on business. I remember him calling me and telling me Christine was having a hard time. I asked why. He told me because of the season-fall. She wasn't used to seeing the trees 'die' and the world turn gray and sad and slow.
I remember that day. I remember having an epiphany if you will. This change happens every year, for the most of us, and I just take it for granted.
I grew up on the lake. If we went to Tulsa, we drove over the lake. If we went to school, we drove over the lake. No matter where I went, I had to drive over the lake to get there. What usually surrounds water? Trees, beautiful trees.
Growing up, I loved watching the trees out do each other in beauty.
I hope the Mr. and Mrs. can make it through the winter. I don't think I could handle losing them altogether.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
I Was Tagged
So little Mrs. most beautiful voice, sweet heart and soul, Marla B. tagged me. I didn't know what I was supposed to do, but don't worry I have it all figured out. I am supposed to brag about my husband. It's funny this came to me. (I tag Daniele, Jessica, Nicole, & Jenn. P. If you gals want to-it'd be fuunnn.)
Our Bible Study group is doing 'Five Love Languages.' Last week we went over the language of receiving gifts. Matt and I do not have this language as our number 1 or 2. At group, we went in the circle and shared with everyone a gift our husbands got us that we really liked; our husbands had to do the same for us. I told of the time Matt got me stationaries for our first year anniversary. I was so so disappointed, but didn't tell him until 2 years later. He told me, "I worked hard on that gift. Tim (Matt's baby brother) told me the first year is the paper anniversary." It was so sweet. At Bible study I didn't get to fully brag about my sweet husband, I will do that now.
Our Bible Study group is doing 'Five Love Languages.' Last week we went over the language of receiving gifts. Matt and I do not have this language as our number 1 or 2. At group, we went in the circle and shared with everyone a gift our husbands got us that we really liked; our husbands had to do the same for us. I told of the time Matt got me stationaries for our first year anniversary. I was so so disappointed, but didn't tell him until 2 years later. He told me, "I worked hard on that gift. Tim (Matt's baby brother) told me the first year is the paper anniversary." It was so sweet. At Bible study I didn't get to fully brag about my sweet husband, I will do that now.
Matt loves Chloe Joy, Cooper and myself with so much love I think it renders him speechless.
The tulip is his favorite flower.
This is where we spent our honeymoon and 5 year anniversary. Big Cedar is where he loves to go and relax- with me of course. His birthday is in December, and I surprised him with an early birthday present-we're heading back to BC in December.
He has a passion for the outdoors; hunting, fishing, camping.... He really looks forward to taking Chloe and Cooper with him hunting and camping.
This is his all time favorite magazine, aka, toilet material.
Even though he's never been skiing; he loves Colorado and the mountains. He feels closer to God when he's engulfed in nature, so being in the mountains is a very special place.
This is a wig, BUT Matt once had a mullet. He loved it. His mom? Not so much. (This was in the early 90's. Not this picture, but his real mullet.)
A warm cup o coffee, especially with doughnuts or dessert.
He enjoys a yummy casserole, which I don't much care for so he rarely gets a yummy casserole.
Yogurt raisins are a weakness.
Matt also loves sitting in a deer stand. If he doesn't come home with a deer, he doesn't mind. He loves the smells, sounds, crisp morning air.....
...and watching the sun wake up. Concert Stories
Driving to the concert was madness! Kevin, my Australian-English lover who lives inside of Garmin world, didn't know the location of the Spirit Bank Event Center, so Matt and I were left to figure it out.
Traffic is atrocious. We're at a right turn, but wait to turn because we want in the inside lane like all the other some odd thousand people going to the same concert, so we can turn left, not the outside lane. We finally are able to turn. Cars were all out in the intersection. Once we get in the inside lane a car pulls beside us, to my right. I look over and he's just yelling. I put my lip reading skills to use and I think he's yelling, "Vacuum, Vacuum blah blah blah you something or another" over and over at us. Maybe he was a salesman, who knows. Matt asks, "What was he saying?"
"Oh, he was a vacuum salesman."
"He was cussing at us?" Matt asks shocked. Like he's never driven in Tulsa before.
"Ya, he was mad b/c we didn't turn immediately on the green light. Like WE are the only car keeping him from going anywhere."
"You should have mooned him and shook it." He says, thinking he's really funny. I did laugh though.
"Ya, I just stared at him, like I was hypnotized and sipped my coffee."
"You did?" He thinks I'm funny, which I am.
"Look how far he got."
The guy literally was 4-5 car lengths in front of us. Funny how mad he got and it didn't even matter. Crazy old man in a blue caddy.
We park the mini. We got a smokin' spot facing the direction of traffic for easy exiting. It took us 5 minutes to park and get it right. Were there other cars vying for that same spot? No, but we knew they would be very soon.
So we start the walk, which turned into a hike, but we made it.
Before the concert started, I walked out to the lobby to check out the 'souvenir' table. I wanted a shirt to commemorate the event. I never buy shirts from concerts b/c they are always over priced, but I really wanted one.
As I re-enter the stadium, the lights have been turned off. SCC and MWS have just come on stage.
I pause to attempt to let my eyes adjust.... I wait for about 3 seconds. I can see people so I think, "Ahh I'll make it."
About 10 seconds into my walk to my chair, I begin to feel myself falling forward and a pain so excruciating in my injured ankle. I have no idea what is going on. I can't see so I do what every other normal person would do- I just keep walking. I realize my feet are off the ground and I'm in the prone position on top of something hard with a plastic liner. I hug it hoping whatever it is it will help me back into the upright position. Then it hits me, literally. I am having an unfriendly encounter with a jumbo sized trash can-the plastic variety.
I manage to return to my feet, grab the trash can, and kick it off to the side so no one else enters, (no pun intended) the same fate as I. I get back to my seat and tell Matt what attacked me and he can't stop laughing. I think he felt bad though when I told him I messed up my already messed up ankle AND that nobody helped me out of the plastic bag... (They, the onlookers and passersby, called themselves Christians. I was a badly beaten, and dying man/woman on the side of the road in need of a Good Samaritan. And everyone just kept singing/walking.)
The concert continues, all is well again, even though I can't feel my toes and my foot is throbbing-it's all good.
SCC starts talking about the day his life changed-the day his daughter passed. He begins with his thoughts of ever singing 'Cinderella' again. He explains those thoughts at great length; which is another reason you have to see the show.
I'm listening intently and feeling sad inside for him and I hear from behind me a rather loud and annoying voice, yelling at someone.
I realize that loud, annoying, obnoxious person is on the phone, "HEY, CAN YOU HEAR ME? (No lady they can't hear you, did you forget where you are?) GET 'DEBBIE'!!! HEY CAN YOU HEAR ME? (Again lady will you please be quiet, they can't hear you.) LISTEN LISTEN, HE'S GOING TO SING A SONG!! (No kidding lady, again, did you forget you came to a concert and NOT a basketball game?) OK OK HE'S FIXING TO SING... LISTEN!!!!" (Will you shut up!! I'm in a moment here!)
A few songs later, I hear an oh familiar sound, "HEY!! CAN YOU HEAR ME? (Do I need to repeat my thoughts I JUST had, out loud to you? Lady, you're lucky I feel like God is sitting in the seat next to me, or I'd ask you if you can hear my middle finger.) HEY!! GET 'JOHNNIE!! (Why is she doing this to her children? She should have just forked over the cash and brought them.) HE'S FIXING TO SING! (Again lady, DUHHH! God you'd better make my legs go numb or else I'm gonna...) OK, OK, LISTEN!! CAN YOU HEAR HIM? (No, he can't b/c you left him and his sister at home, so you could call them after every other song and ask them if they can hear!!! Are you crazy?) OK, BYE!!! (Buuuhhh Bye)
So I kind of do one of those 'polite' look over my shoulders to see who in the world is so rude... She's an LP. I begin to think, "Man she may be an LP, but she's an LP with an average sized voice, possible more than average."
Matt spent the whole concert sitting, slouching and leaning towards me. I asked him later why he didn't just stand up? He said he felt bad. Such a nice man.
Concert ends, "You ready to enter the cattle shoot?" Matt asks, laughing. (You know when everyone starts down the stairs at the same time? Looks like a bunch of cattle heading to the trucks to be loaded and later butchered.)
"Naahhh, lets just chill."
So we sit and wait and I can see yellow shirts, 'Event Staff', heading towards us. They are fixing to 'cattle prod' us so we'll leave. We beat them to the punch though and leave before they get us.
Matt and I thought we'd be slick and park a mile away. Yaahh, we were idiots. Our car was the only one parked in this lot. Why? B/c low and behold there is a parking garage next to the arena. We didn't know that.
So we are walking to our car/van, making jokes and pretty much just making fun of the cell phone lady. We're about 100 yards from our van and a guy yells out of his parked car, "HEY, DID YOU GUYS JUST SEE S.T.P.?"
"Huh?" I ask, but making sure SCC and MWS don't have an alias I'm unaware of.
"DID YOU JUST SEE S.T.P.?!!"
"Oh, no we didn't." I yell back.
Matt says, "Who's S.T.P.?"
"Stone Temple Pilots"
"Oh," he says and then begins his sarcastic remark, "Ya, we just saw S.T.P. Now let me get into my minivan."
It was really funny b/c Matt isn't usually very quick witted.
Now for the middle finger comment. I would never do that, I didn't even think it. I just made up that part of the story.
Traffic is atrocious. We're at a right turn, but wait to turn because we want in the inside lane like all the other some odd thousand people going to the same concert, so we can turn left, not the outside lane. We finally are able to turn. Cars were all out in the intersection. Once we get in the inside lane a car pulls beside us, to my right. I look over and he's just yelling. I put my lip reading skills to use and I think he's yelling, "Vacuum, Vacuum blah blah blah you something or another" over and over at us. Maybe he was a salesman, who knows. Matt asks, "What was he saying?"
"Oh, he was a vacuum salesman."
"He was cussing at us?" Matt asks shocked. Like he's never driven in Tulsa before.
"Ya, he was mad b/c we didn't turn immediately on the green light. Like WE are the only car keeping him from going anywhere."
"You should have mooned him and shook it." He says, thinking he's really funny. I did laugh though.
"Ya, I just stared at him, like I was hypnotized and sipped my coffee."
"You did?" He thinks I'm funny, which I am.
"Look how far he got."
The guy literally was 4-5 car lengths in front of us. Funny how mad he got and it didn't even matter. Crazy old man in a blue caddy.
We park the mini. We got a smokin' spot facing the direction of traffic for easy exiting. It took us 5 minutes to park and get it right. Were there other cars vying for that same spot? No, but we knew they would be very soon.
So we start the walk, which turned into a hike, but we made it.
Before the concert started, I walked out to the lobby to check out the 'souvenir' table. I wanted a shirt to commemorate the event. I never buy shirts from concerts b/c they are always over priced, but I really wanted one.
As I re-enter the stadium, the lights have been turned off. SCC and MWS have just come on stage.
I pause to attempt to let my eyes adjust.... I wait for about 3 seconds. I can see people so I think, "Ahh I'll make it."
About 10 seconds into my walk to my chair, I begin to feel myself falling forward and a pain so excruciating in my injured ankle. I have no idea what is going on. I can't see so I do what every other normal person would do- I just keep walking. I realize my feet are off the ground and I'm in the prone position on top of something hard with a plastic liner. I hug it hoping whatever it is it will help me back into the upright position. Then it hits me, literally. I am having an unfriendly encounter with a jumbo sized trash can-the plastic variety.
I manage to return to my feet, grab the trash can, and kick it off to the side so no one else enters, (no pun intended) the same fate as I. I get back to my seat and tell Matt what attacked me and he can't stop laughing. I think he felt bad though when I told him I messed up my already messed up ankle AND that nobody helped me out of the plastic bag... (They, the onlookers and passersby, called themselves Christians. I was a badly beaten, and dying man/woman on the side of the road in need of a Good Samaritan. And everyone just kept singing/walking.)
The concert continues, all is well again, even though I can't feel my toes and my foot is throbbing-it's all good.
SCC starts talking about the day his life changed-the day his daughter passed. He begins with his thoughts of ever singing 'Cinderella' again. He explains those thoughts at great length; which is another reason you have to see the show.
I'm listening intently and feeling sad inside for him and I hear from behind me a rather loud and annoying voice, yelling at someone.
I realize that loud, annoying, obnoxious person is on the phone, "HEY, CAN YOU HEAR ME? (No lady they can't hear you, did you forget where you are?) GET 'DEBBIE'!!! HEY CAN YOU HEAR ME? (Again lady will you please be quiet, they can't hear you.) LISTEN LISTEN, HE'S GOING TO SING A SONG!! (No kidding lady, again, did you forget you came to a concert and NOT a basketball game?) OK OK HE'S FIXING TO SING... LISTEN!!!!" (Will you shut up!! I'm in a moment here!)
A few songs later, I hear an oh familiar sound, "HEY!! CAN YOU HEAR ME? (Do I need to repeat my thoughts I JUST had, out loud to you? Lady, you're lucky I feel like God is sitting in the seat next to me, or I'd ask you if you can hear my middle finger.) HEY!! GET 'JOHNNIE!! (Why is she doing this to her children? She should have just forked over the cash and brought them.) HE'S FIXING TO SING! (Again lady, DUHHH! God you'd better make my legs go numb or else I'm gonna...) OK, OK, LISTEN!! CAN YOU HEAR HIM? (No, he can't b/c you left him and his sister at home, so you could call them after every other song and ask them if they can hear!!! Are you crazy?) OK, BYE!!! (Buuuhhh Bye)
So I kind of do one of those 'polite' look over my shoulders to see who in the world is so rude... She's an LP. I begin to think, "Man she may be an LP, but she's an LP with an average sized voice, possible more than average."
Matt spent the whole concert sitting, slouching and leaning towards me. I asked him later why he didn't just stand up? He said he felt bad. Such a nice man.
Concert ends, "You ready to enter the cattle shoot?" Matt asks, laughing. (You know when everyone starts down the stairs at the same time? Looks like a bunch of cattle heading to the trucks to be loaded and later butchered.)
"Naahhh, lets just chill."
So we sit and wait and I can see yellow shirts, 'Event Staff', heading towards us. They are fixing to 'cattle prod' us so we'll leave. We beat them to the punch though and leave before they get us.
Matt and I thought we'd be slick and park a mile away. Yaahh, we were idiots. Our car was the only one parked in this lot. Why? B/c low and behold there is a parking garage next to the arena. We didn't know that.
So we are walking to our car/van, making jokes and pretty much just making fun of the cell phone lady. We're about 100 yards from our van and a guy yells out of his parked car, "HEY, DID YOU GUYS JUST SEE S.T.P.?"
"Huh?" I ask, but making sure SCC and MWS don't have an alias I'm unaware of.
"DID YOU JUST SEE S.T.P.?!!"
"Oh, no we didn't." I yell back.
Matt says, "Who's S.T.P.?"
"Stone Temple Pilots"
"Oh," he says and then begins his sarcastic remark, "Ya, we just saw S.T.P. Now let me get into my minivan."
It was really funny b/c Matt isn't usually very quick witted.
Now for the middle finger comment. I would never do that, I didn't even think it. I just made up that part of the story.
Friday, October 24, 2008
SCC & MWS
If you are wondering what those fabulouso letters stand for, well SCC=Steven Curtis Chapman and MWS=Michael W. Smith!!!
I've seen both of these guys two to three times EACH and they are super fantastic EVERY TIME!!
I have lots of favorite Christian artists and I don't like to list them b/c I don't want to hurt their feelings, BUT these two bring back lots of memories and they continue to help produce more memories in my life.
Last night, Matt and I went on our first date since Cooper was born. We have been with out Chloe but never without both, so last night was special. (I'd like to give a special 'shout-out' to my SIL, Amy, for watching my kids for me.)
As I was watching history in the making last night, SCC & MWS together for the first time EVER, I began to think and write rough drafts of my blog in my head. As I sit here at the keyboard with terrible posture and Cooper laughing in his crib behind me, I still can not describe last night to you.
I was in the shower, getting ready for the concert and I found myself praying for MWS and SCC, not that they would "do their job," but that they would be encouraged. I found myself praying for the families, lives and just them personally. I just wanted them to get on stage and feel welcome and feel good about being there.
I have posted before, how much I love music and how it has molded me into the woman I am today. I feel a closeness to God that I sometimes only feel when I listen to music, or certain songs. So you can imagine last night. I would become paralyzed with happiness and the feeling of not ever wanting to go home. I just wanted to listen all night. I wanted to take them with me. I wanted the moment to last forever. I wanted EVERYONE to leave so I could cry, sing louder, lift my hands higher and just make it last for eternity. There was an empty seat beside me the whole night, which was weird because the show was sold out. I truly believe the empty seat next to me was reserved for God and He alone.
I remember just praying for SCC while he was singing- praying for his family at home; his wife. I tried to record moments with Matt's cell phone, but it just isn't the same. Last night, was their first night singing together, Tulsa was the first stop on their tour and I guess I felt a little special.
I got online this morning to see if they were going to make a stop in OKC... They aren't. So I'm glad I saw them when I did. If you're town or a near by town, is a stop on their tour, I recommend going, you will not be sorry you went, you will only be sorry you didn't. They are only together for just under a month, so drive, fly, swim, hitchhike to the nearest location. Cash in your 401K to buy tickets, they (401K's) are worthless right now anyways, might as well make it work for you!!
I've seen both of these guys two to three times EACH and they are super fantastic EVERY TIME!!
I have lots of favorite Christian artists and I don't like to list them b/c I don't want to hurt their feelings, BUT these two bring back lots of memories and they continue to help produce more memories in my life.
Last night, Matt and I went on our first date since Cooper was born. We have been with out Chloe but never without both, so last night was special. (I'd like to give a special 'shout-out' to my SIL, Amy, for watching my kids for me.)
As I was watching history in the making last night, SCC & MWS together for the first time EVER, I began to think and write rough drafts of my blog in my head. As I sit here at the keyboard with terrible posture and Cooper laughing in his crib behind me, I still can not describe last night to you.
I was in the shower, getting ready for the concert and I found myself praying for MWS and SCC, not that they would "do their job," but that they would be encouraged. I found myself praying for the families, lives and just them personally. I just wanted them to get on stage and feel welcome and feel good about being there.
I have posted before, how much I love music and how it has molded me into the woman I am today. I feel a closeness to God that I sometimes only feel when I listen to music, or certain songs. So you can imagine last night. I would become paralyzed with happiness and the feeling of not ever wanting to go home. I just wanted to listen all night. I wanted to take them with me. I wanted the moment to last forever. I wanted EVERYONE to leave so I could cry, sing louder, lift my hands higher and just make it last for eternity. There was an empty seat beside me the whole night, which was weird because the show was sold out. I truly believe the empty seat next to me was reserved for God and He alone.
I remember just praying for SCC while he was singing- praying for his family at home; his wife. I tried to record moments with Matt's cell phone, but it just isn't the same. Last night, was their first night singing together, Tulsa was the first stop on their tour and I guess I felt a little special.
I got online this morning to see if they were going to make a stop in OKC... They aren't. So I'm glad I saw them when I did. If you're town or a near by town, is a stop on their tour, I recommend going, you will not be sorry you went, you will only be sorry you didn't. They are only together for just under a month, so drive, fly, swim, hitchhike to the nearest location. Cash in your 401K to buy tickets, they (401K's) are worthless right now anyways, might as well make it work for you!!
I'll post later about the funny moments from last night. None of which involved the artists, so don't worry. Mainly, Matt, the lady behind me and a trash can.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
My Moral Dilemma
Two weeks ago, I dropped off Chloe at MDO, I mean PDO, and noticed a sign on the door of the room next to hers. It basically said, "Fall party for rooms 102, 105 October 29, there will be games and fun but DO NOT WEAR COSTUMES. Sign up for snacks and treats."
I sign up on the sheet outside Chloe's room's door. That afternoon when we got home, I unpacked her backpack and in it was a notice and it basically said, "We will be having our Halloween Party October 29, wear your costumes and be ready for fun."
Herein lies my moral dilemma.
Some of you may already know, Matt and I don't celebrate Halloween. We decided when Chloe was born to make Halloween a family day. When Matt was younger, he came home and told his mom what he had seen and done at school that day, Halloween, and she never took them, all his siblings, to school on Halloween. They just spent that day together. I really liked that idea so I stole it. (If you celebrate Halloween, cool, I'm not a hater.)
Anyways, so once I read the note from Chloe's school I started to get all worried and bothered and kind of angry because I wanted Chloe's room to be the one that was not promoting costumes.
When I dropped Chloe off this morning, I made sure her room was one of the dress up rooms- it is.
I ask the Director, "When will their party be over? We don't do Halloween and so I was just going to bring her after the party."
"I'm not sure," she says, "ask the teachers they will know."
So I go back to Chloe's room, "Is the party a Fall Party or a Halloween Party? We aren't Halloweeny people, we don't dress up or do candy. We have made it a family day."
"Well," says her teacher, "it's a Fall Party."
"Oh," I say with doubt, "because it says Halloween on the sign."
"Well, the kids will be dressed up, but it's just going to be mainly a party where they will get things they don't normally get."
"OK, I'm going to have to confer with my husband about this. We have not entered the "Fall Party" realm yet, so let me talk to him."
I get home and Matt tells me to just keep her home next week if I'm having such a hard time deciding. He's right. The only reason I kept going back and forth was because of the money!!
I try calling my MIL to get her take on this and she's not home, "Where could she be? It's raining cats and dogs outside." I try for an hour, no answer.
Then my phone rings, the ID says it's Chloe's school, I begin to panic inside, "I hope she didn't hurt herself or get into trouble."
"Hi, Megan, it's Colleen from East Cross. First, no injuries. I just wanted to call and talk to you about next week. I know you mentioned your family doesn't celebrate Halloween. Long story short, I wanted to tell you if you didn't want Chloe to participate in the party I would be more than happy to credit your account. There is a couple in my church who don't do Halloween and I just figure 'to each his own.'"
"Oh my gosh, I was having this huge moral dilemma over this and knew that I should just listen to my gut, but the money was pulling me back. So if you are willing to credit us, then ya I would be so grateful."
"OK," she says, "then I guess we'll see Chloe on Nov. 5."
"Thanks so much." I say.
I hang up the phone and my eyes water. I just got an answered prayer and it felt so good. I think once I had reached the point of letting the money go, God said, "Good Megan, that is not what is important here. You were missing the mark." He was able to step in and let me see Him work. But I had to let go of the money... and that can be hard when you feel you are being wronged.
I sign up on the sheet outside Chloe's room's door. That afternoon when we got home, I unpacked her backpack and in it was a notice and it basically said, "We will be having our Halloween Party October 29, wear your costumes and be ready for fun."
Herein lies my moral dilemma.
Some of you may already know, Matt and I don't celebrate Halloween. We decided when Chloe was born to make Halloween a family day. When Matt was younger, he came home and told his mom what he had seen and done at school that day, Halloween, and she never took them, all his siblings, to school on Halloween. They just spent that day together. I really liked that idea so I stole it. (If you celebrate Halloween, cool, I'm not a hater.)
Anyways, so once I read the note from Chloe's school I started to get all worried and bothered and kind of angry because I wanted Chloe's room to be the one that was not promoting costumes.
When I dropped Chloe off this morning, I made sure her room was one of the dress up rooms- it is.
I ask the Director, "When will their party be over? We don't do Halloween and so I was just going to bring her after the party."
"I'm not sure," she says, "ask the teachers they will know."
So I go back to Chloe's room, "Is the party a Fall Party or a Halloween Party? We aren't Halloweeny people, we don't dress up or do candy. We have made it a family day."
"Well," says her teacher, "it's a Fall Party."
"Oh," I say with doubt, "because it says Halloween on the sign."
"Well, the kids will be dressed up, but it's just going to be mainly a party where they will get things they don't normally get."
"OK, I'm going to have to confer with my husband about this. We have not entered the "Fall Party" realm yet, so let me talk to him."
I get home and Matt tells me to just keep her home next week if I'm having such a hard time deciding. He's right. The only reason I kept going back and forth was because of the money!!
I try calling my MIL to get her take on this and she's not home, "Where could she be? It's raining cats and dogs outside." I try for an hour, no answer.
Then my phone rings, the ID says it's Chloe's school, I begin to panic inside, "I hope she didn't hurt herself or get into trouble."
"Hi, Megan, it's Colleen from East Cross. First, no injuries. I just wanted to call and talk to you about next week. I know you mentioned your family doesn't celebrate Halloween. Long story short, I wanted to tell you if you didn't want Chloe to participate in the party I would be more than happy to credit your account. There is a couple in my church who don't do Halloween and I just figure 'to each his own.'"
"Oh my gosh, I was having this huge moral dilemma over this and knew that I should just listen to my gut, but the money was pulling me back. So if you are willing to credit us, then ya I would be so grateful."
"OK," she says, "then I guess we'll see Chloe on Nov. 5."
"Thanks so much." I say.
I hang up the phone and my eyes water. I just got an answered prayer and it felt so good. I think once I had reached the point of letting the money go, God said, "Good Megan, that is not what is important here. You were missing the mark." He was able to step in and let me see Him work. But I had to let go of the money... and that can be hard when you feel you are being wronged.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Just Keep Swimming
Matt and I joined the Y a few weeks ago, and I'm happy to report I have been going regularly. Notice the word in bold in the last sentence? In case you can't see it, it's the letter 'I.'
I have been going. Matt? Not so much. He does have an excuse though. He gets up at 5:30 am and doesn't get home until 6:00pm. He doesn't want to miss time playing with the kids.
Anyways, I had to post-pone my joining due to an untimely mis-step, literally. The stupid stairs in the back reached up and grabbed my ankle a few weeks ago and I have endured an injury. I attempted to power through on the treadmill, and did, but have succumb to the severe pain. So what am I doing instead?
Swimming!
I love swimming. BUT there is one thing that will make me turn and run from the pristine glass like beauty of a swimming pool... Cold water!!
Saturday was my first day doing laps since my brutal injury and since I was pregnant with Chloe, over 2 years ago.
I put my rather large and oddly misshaped, due to a high school injury, toe in the water-a test of temperature if you will. Ahhh, Allegra, it was nice and toasty!! I think I even thanked God out loud for the nice warm, tub like water!! The water was 84* and the air temp was 79*. Perfect for a pansy like me.
So I got after it... I swam 11 laps, down and back being one. I thought 22 laps was a mile, I was wrong, it's 32. I thought I had been swimming half a mile! I wasn't. I felt like such a slacker. See I'm slightly OCD when it comes to exercise. I HAVE to finish a certain way.
For example, if I run for time. I have to stop on the time being ??:00. It has to end in zero. So if I run 15 minutes. It has to be 15:00 on the dot, no more no less. If I run for distance, I run in increments of a half a mile. There is no stopping at 1.2 miles, I will go to 1.5, no matter how much it hurts. SO when I discovered the errors of my swimming math, I felt a little odd inside. I felt the need to jump in fully clothed, no lifeguard and finish the next 5 laps.
I was able to have some restraint though...
... the doors were locked.
I have been going. Matt? Not so much. He does have an excuse though. He gets up at 5:30 am and doesn't get home until 6:00pm. He doesn't want to miss time playing with the kids.
Anyways, I had to post-pone my joining due to an untimely mis-step, literally. The stupid stairs in the back reached up and grabbed my ankle a few weeks ago and I have endured an injury. I attempted to power through on the treadmill, and did, but have succumb to the severe pain. So what am I doing instead?
Swimming!
I love swimming. BUT there is one thing that will make me turn and run from the pristine glass like beauty of a swimming pool... Cold water!!
Saturday was my first day doing laps since my brutal injury and since I was pregnant with Chloe, over 2 years ago.
I put my rather large and oddly misshaped, due to a high school injury, toe in the water-a test of temperature if you will. Ahhh, Allegra, it was nice and toasty!! I think I even thanked God out loud for the nice warm, tub like water!! The water was 84* and the air temp was 79*. Perfect for a pansy like me.
So I got after it... I swam 11 laps, down and back being one. I thought 22 laps was a mile, I was wrong, it's 32. I thought I had been swimming half a mile! I wasn't. I felt like such a slacker. See I'm slightly OCD when it comes to exercise. I HAVE to finish a certain way.
For example, if I run for time. I have to stop on the time being ??:00. It has to end in zero. So if I run 15 minutes. It has to be 15:00 on the dot, no more no less. If I run for distance, I run in increments of a half a mile. There is no stopping at 1.2 miles, I will go to 1.5, no matter how much it hurts. SO when I discovered the errors of my swimming math, I felt a little odd inside. I felt the need to jump in fully clothed, no lifeguard and finish the next 5 laps.
I was able to have some restraint though...
... the doors were locked.
Friday, October 17, 2008
One Nation
I know that this election stuff really gets people's opinionated side ruffled, but I was watching TBN, not the purple-haired lady, but the famous guy's show. Oh I just remembered the name "700 Club."
There was a guy speaking, not Pat, he was commenting on the event the two candidates were attending last night. 700 Club showed a clip of Obama and McCain cracking jokes. I think it was Pat's wife, she said, "It sure is nice to see those two get along and laugh at each other after how nasty they have been thus far." The man said, "Ya, but I hope after all this is over we can again be 'One Nation Under God.'"
I agree.
I was reading a blog last night. I call her Kate Mc on my 'Good Reads' list. She was upset about some of the mean comments people were making towards each other over her blog and outside of it. (It's funny how rude people will get over the computer, but never dare behave that way if the person were in front of you.)
When you think about Jesus and how basically the world was divided; some believed (in Him)and some didn't. He never said, "Oh, you are crazy! I hate you! You're dumb!" yada yada yada. He let people believe what they wanted and loved them. He didn't yell obscenities at them to get them to change their minds; he knew that tactic was ineffective.
I've heard people say, "Well, I'll just pray that God will change THEIR mind &/or heart."
This goes for anything ie. marriage, husbands, wives, politics, McDonalds over Chilli's, walking v. running, red dress over blue...
Maybe you should ask God to change your heart. Ask him to fix your flaws and the rest will just fall into place.
Maybe after all this craziness is over we can address the real issues and become once again "One Nation Under God, indivisible...."
There was a guy speaking, not Pat, he was commenting on the event the two candidates were attending last night. 700 Club showed a clip of Obama and McCain cracking jokes. I think it was Pat's wife, she said, "It sure is nice to see those two get along and laugh at each other after how nasty they have been thus far." The man said, "Ya, but I hope after all this is over we can again be 'One Nation Under God.'"
I agree.
I was reading a blog last night. I call her Kate Mc on my 'Good Reads' list. She was upset about some of the mean comments people were making towards each other over her blog and outside of it. (It's funny how rude people will get over the computer, but never dare behave that way if the person were in front of you.)
When you think about Jesus and how basically the world was divided; some believed (in Him)and some didn't. He never said, "Oh, you are crazy! I hate you! You're dumb!" yada yada yada. He let people believe what they wanted and loved them. He didn't yell obscenities at them to get them to change their minds; he knew that tactic was ineffective.
I've heard people say, "Well, I'll just pray that God will change THEIR mind &/or heart."
This goes for anything ie. marriage, husbands, wives, politics, McDonalds over Chilli's, walking v. running, red dress over blue...
Maybe you should ask God to change your heart. Ask him to fix your flaws and the rest will just fall into place.
Maybe after all this craziness is over we can address the real issues and become once again "One Nation Under God, indivisible...."
Thursday, October 16, 2008
A New "Leaf"
At the turn of the summer season, Chloe turned over a new leaf.
She would go to her room, hide behind her crib, poop and then tell us to change her.
I thought, "hmm, maybe she's ready for a potty chair." Not wanting to buy one just yet, I borrowed one from a friend. It got a lot of "use." She was just sitting.
These are two examples of her innovative use of a potty seat; chairs. I have another video of her putting the potty on the couch, running around naked, and letting her animals take a turn 'pee peeing.' It's really funny, but I opted not to post it for her sake and yours.
This morning, I put Chloe Joy, CJ, in her room and put the baby gate up so I could get ready with out her sitting on her brother and squishing him. A few minutes go by, I walk by her room and I don't see her. I wait, but didn't say anything because I thought she might be pooping and I didn't want to scare her.
I finally say very softly, "Chloe?"
"MOMMA, I POOP!"
"Ok, but where are you?"
"MOMMA, I POOP!"
"Ok, honey, but where are you? I can't see you."
Then I see her little raccoon hands pry open the sliding closet door and she squeezes out from in between the crack in the doors, yelling, "I POOP!" She's not happy about it so I thought maybe she's constipated. Which is her fault because the child will only eat bread and cheese products. She'll eat raisins every once in a while and I try to give her oatmeal as much as possible.
So I lay her down to change her and she won't cooperate, so I know there's blockage.
"Chloe? Do you want to go to the potty?"
"Ya." She says very pitifully. I was shocked she usually says no.
"OK, let's go.... Which one do you want? Elmo or the chair?"
"Momo."
"Ok, yaa you can do it!! Go potty!"
She begins to change her mind only because I think it was hurting and she just wanted the diaper back. I begin the bribery process...
"If you go potty we'll go to Wal-Mart and buy a baby, I'll give you a cookie. Oh Momma has a baby for you if you'll go potty on the chair. Do you want a baby?"
"Yaa." she says oh so sadly. "Silky." So I run and grab silky and Elmo. "Hold you Momma." So I hug her and distract her with conversation.
"Yaa." she says oh so sadly. "Silky." So I run and grab silky and Elmo. "Hold you Momma." So I hug her and distract her with conversation.
Then I hear a noise, "Kerplunk." I lift her up and low and behold, she did it!!! Her first words after her feat? "Momma baby?" I laughed. Her second words? "Momma diaper."
She was worn out and ready for comfort and her new baby. So we did a jig in the bathroom, hugged, hi-fived, jigged some more, hi-fived some more, jumped, looked at it, looked at it again, she got to flush, I wiped her, and then we washed our hands.
I had a little Cabbage Patch kid I bought off QVC. They came in packages of 3. I gave one to my niece and Chloe had one, so she got the third as well.
We then called Daddy, and Papa Jim.
Then we danced some more and I let her watch cartoons.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Life's Pleasures
There are a few things in my life, not in human form, that bring me great joy and put me in a better mood in the mornings. Especially since I am not a morning person, I'm ready to tackle the day around ohhh 10:00PM. Matt loves that about me. *wink*
This time of year, fall/Christmas, Coffee-Mate returns to the stores their yummy O so tasty and probably not in the diet plan I'm on, Peppermint Mocha creamer. *Hallelujah!!* Did you just hear the angles and see the lights like I did?
I really love the White Chocolate Peppermint Mocha's from the over priced stocks suffering Starbucks. I try not to go there but no more than once a week. (The days Chloe goes to MDO, I mean PDO.)
BUT since God loves me, he initiated the return of Coffee-Mate Peppermint Mocha. Have I said Peppermint Mocha one too many times? Here I'll say it again, Peppermint Mocha. Is your mouth watering and your veins screaming for it yet?
I could probably chug the bottle of creamer, BUT that is DEFINITELY NOT ON THE DIET!! I don't think, I had better go back and make sure. Hmmm, I could possibly pencil it in.
Last night at Bible Study, the host was drinking tea, like a very proper English woman would. She even had the cute little, well actually rather large, cups/bowls with trays. She said they were Pampered Chef. OHH and they were pink; ya know for Breast Cancer Awareness. Too cute, I think I need some. Hmm, how would Matt feel about his Saturday morning coffee in a pink cup/bowl with a tray? He might ask for a crumpet. (spelling is probably wrong. I'm wired on creamer sorry.)
Back to my story... She was drinking tea. I thought, "Hmmm, I should try it and see if being prim and proper is for me. I'll try some."
Low and behold, prim and proper is for me after all!
So at the store today I bought the lovely, fragrant tea she was serving. It's Lipton Caffeine Free Herbal Collection. In the box are 6 various flavors; lemon, peppermint, cinnamon apple, orange, ginger twist, and quietly chamomile. I have only tried the peppermint, of course, but hear the apple cinnamon is rather tasty. (There isn't a picture I can pirate, and I'm too lazy to take a picture of my box, so be a love and just click on their link; after you finish reading of course.)
The package says they contain zero calories, so a bowl of tea will be a good choice for an evening snack.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Catching Up
Have you ever met a person and thought, "Man, I could really get along with this girl/guy."
Or have you ever met a person and thought, "I don't get them."
You just didn't smell what they were stepping in? Or you could REALLY smell what they were stepping in?
That happened today. A friend that moved to Houston, curse you Conoco, came up to see her friends. I was lucky enough to make the list. Anyways, she rode with another girl who is friends with the same people. Chan, for short and anonymity, is someone whom I've heard about but never met. I met her today and thought, "Man, I could really like this chic!"
Amanda, not short and for lack of anonymity, I met over a year ago. I feel like I could really hang with this chic, but the great state of Texas lies in between, curse you Lonestar State.
There were 5 girls total. We all have kids and they played and we just talked and caught up, or in my case with Chan., got to know her, a tiny bit. As much as I could in a few hours.
When I got home, I thought, "What a good bunch of girls."
I wish I could do something like that more often. Such a good feeling of understanding and 'I get ya.'
Maybe Houston will relinquish its' grip on Amanda and her family.
"Amanda, I don't want to rub salt in your wound, but MOVE BACK!!!!"
Thanks for a great day ladies. I had a great time!
Or have you ever met a person and thought, "I don't get them."
You just didn't smell what they were stepping in? Or you could REALLY smell what they were stepping in?
That happened today. A friend that moved to Houston, curse you Conoco, came up to see her friends. I was lucky enough to make the list. Anyways, she rode with another girl who is friends with the same people. Chan, for short and anonymity, is someone whom I've heard about but never met. I met her today and thought, "Man, I could really like this chic!"
Amanda, not short and for lack of anonymity, I met over a year ago. I feel like I could really hang with this chic, but the great state of Texas lies in between, curse you Lonestar State.
There were 5 girls total. We all have kids and they played and we just talked and caught up, or in my case with Chan., got to know her, a tiny bit. As much as I could in a few hours.
When I got home, I thought, "What a good bunch of girls."
I wish I could do something like that more often. Such a good feeling of understanding and 'I get ya.'
Maybe Houston will relinquish its' grip on Amanda and her family.
"Amanda, I don't want to rub salt in your wound, but MOVE BACK!!!!"
Thanks for a great day ladies. I had a great time!
Friday, October 10, 2008
Through the Journal
As I've said, I'm a journaler. Have been since middle school. I began being very consistent with my journaling when I went to college. So to show how God brought Matt and I together I thought I'd share my journal entries from right before we met and then when we met.
I began a study called "And the Bride Wore White." I had had the book for a long time, but was scared to start it. The lady that let me borrow it told me, "Watch out this book will change your life."
12-16-01 Chp. 1
Dear God,
In order for my heart to change, I need to give some things over to you. My struggles....
I'm still deeply hurt by my parent and their decision to get a divorce a couple of yrs. ago. I have fear in my life b/c I saw their relationship. I know w/o a doubt that I will not get a divorce, but it all scares me. I'm really hurt by them, and I don't want to worry about that. I want to put all that aside and be totally submissive to what you want to do w/ me. I want to move forward. I'm sorry for not giving it up sooner and I pray that you will help me.
Also Lord I pray that you will keep me from worldly passions and desires. Keep me shielded Lord and be my teacher now and as I read through this book, be my teacher please. Amen.
12-19-01 Chp. 5
My Dream Man...
Gosh, this is tougher than I thought it was going to be, but here we go...
Obviously first and foremost he's got to love Jesus, but w/ a passion that is so unique it really shines through in all he does. He could just smile and you can see the love for Jesus he has in his smile. Also, he has to be driven to know more about Jesus, wanting to grow closer everyday, never getting comfortable with where he and Jesus are, but also teaching me and leading me and helping me grow. I want him to be able to learn from me and me from him. I want to look at him and just be amazed at how much he loves the Lord and how he isn't afraid to show it. But I want him to look at me and see me as an amazing woman of God. (Edited down) He's got to love serving. Just doing things for people, whether it's volunteering or just doing something with the kids for the kids. Just a heart to help others. I love to serve. How cool would that be to go and serve together.... (Editing for times sake.)
Love me and my family no matter what crazy things they have done.
Love kids, just love everything about them and want to impact their lives.
Takes care of his body........... (Edited)
Doesn't care about his appearance when he doesn't need to..........
(Edited down)
It goes on and on, and I don't want to bore you, but I put off this list for a long time. A girl told me once that soon after she made her list, she met her husband. That freaked me out, so I didn't do it.
January 21, 2002 a birthday card is left of my car window.
1-28-02
Well, I guess it's safe to say that much has happened in the past month or so. I joined LifeChurch and got hooked up in a Life Group and found out that someone liked me. Sooo... that's where I am. I'm fighting the 'liking' thing b/c if my sources are correct then he's pretty serious about the liking thing. He's really awesome though! So considerate, patient and seems great. Opens doors. If there's a door of any type, I'm not opening it, he will. : ) Which I love!!! He says I'm perfect!!!! What do I say about that? He prays about this every night, gosh I'm really confused. My heart and head have been saying 2 diff. things so that's been hard. But he def. makes me smile. When I see him I smile:) I'll keep you posted!! :) I don't know.
Megan
I began a study called "And the Bride Wore White." I had had the book for a long time, but was scared to start it. The lady that let me borrow it told me, "Watch out this book will change your life."
12-16-01 Chp. 1
Dear God,
In order for my heart to change, I need to give some things over to you. My struggles....
I'm still deeply hurt by my parent and their decision to get a divorce a couple of yrs. ago. I have fear in my life b/c I saw their relationship. I know w/o a doubt that I will not get a divorce, but it all scares me. I'm really hurt by them, and I don't want to worry about that. I want to put all that aside and be totally submissive to what you want to do w/ me. I want to move forward. I'm sorry for not giving it up sooner and I pray that you will help me.
Also Lord I pray that you will keep me from worldly passions and desires. Keep me shielded Lord and be my teacher now and as I read through this book, be my teacher please. Amen.
12-19-01 Chp. 5
My Dream Man...
Gosh, this is tougher than I thought it was going to be, but here we go...
Obviously first and foremost he's got to love Jesus, but w/ a passion that is so unique it really shines through in all he does. He could just smile and you can see the love for Jesus he has in his smile. Also, he has to be driven to know more about Jesus, wanting to grow closer everyday, never getting comfortable with where he and Jesus are, but also teaching me and leading me and helping me grow. I want him to be able to learn from me and me from him. I want to look at him and just be amazed at how much he loves the Lord and how he isn't afraid to show it. But I want him to look at me and see me as an amazing woman of God. (Edited down) He's got to love serving. Just doing things for people, whether it's volunteering or just doing something with the kids for the kids. Just a heart to help others. I love to serve. How cool would that be to go and serve together.... (Editing for times sake.)
Love me and my family no matter what crazy things they have done.
Love kids, just love everything about them and want to impact their lives.
Takes care of his body........... (Edited)
Doesn't care about his appearance when he doesn't need to..........
(Edited down)
It goes on and on, and I don't want to bore you, but I put off this list for a long time. A girl told me once that soon after she made her list, she met her husband. That freaked me out, so I didn't do it.
January 21, 2002 a birthday card is left of my car window.
1-28-02
Well, I guess it's safe to say that much has happened in the past month or so. I joined LifeChurch and got hooked up in a Life Group and found out that someone liked me. Sooo... that's where I am. I'm fighting the 'liking' thing b/c if my sources are correct then he's pretty serious about the liking thing. He's really awesome though! So considerate, patient and seems great. Opens doors. If there's a door of any type, I'm not opening it, he will. : ) Which I love!!! He says I'm perfect!!!! What do I say about that? He prays about this every night, gosh I'm really confused. My heart and head have been saying 2 diff. things so that's been hard. But he def. makes me smile. When I see him I smile:) I'll keep you posted!! :) I don't know.
Megan
I never wrote his name. I can remember intentionally NOT writing his name so I didn't jenks it. It's just so funny to go back and read the evolution of our relationship.
Matt took the day off of work today as a surprise to me. It's a good one and cheap. He said, "Megan, go do whatever you need to do today. If that means getting your toes done, going to Tulsa, going where ever, go, I'll stay here." So this morning I'm off to MOPS, all alone.
I'll post more entries later... You guys may not enjoy it, but I enjoy talking about my Matt.
Happy 6 Years!!
As I have mentioned before, I'm a journaler. So in honor of my 6th wedding anniversary. I busted out the journal I was keeping around the time I met Matt.
It's so fun to go back and re-read my thought and feelings. I'll share some of those entries with you later, but it's just so neat to see God working in my life and I have written proof of it.
It's so fun to go back and re-read my thought and feelings. I'll share some of those entries with you later, but it's just so neat to see God working in my life and I have written proof of it.
Let me tell you about my Matt.
We met in college. His youngest brother and I had a lot of classes together and were good friends. One night, Tim, the brother, and I went to Oklahoma State University, OSU, for their worship night. (I can't for the life of me remember the name of it. I'm sure it will hit me around 12:00am.)
I go to Tim's house to pick him up; he lives with Matt. Tim introduces me, and Matt had the worst attitude. I remember thinking, "He must have an angry girlfriend or something cuz jeez." He wasn't blatantly rude, he just wasn't very nice, let's just say he was short.
Fast forward to the fall of 2001, I'm working at the YMCA. Matt would ALWAYS show up to work out during the hours I was working. Tim, Matt and I would play friendly games of racquetball. Tim began spending more time with his now wife, but then girlfriend and he quit being the middle man for me at racquetball. I remember thinking, "Well, now what?! I don't want Matt getting the wrong idea." (See I had sworn off dating.)
So Matt's always at the Y. One evening I was running on the treadmill. He passes by, "Hey Megan."
"Hey Matt, how are ya?" I say.
I notice out of the corner of my eye a female approaching him. She might as well have had her leg hiked and peed on him to mark her territory because when she saw me, boy she wasn't happy. She grabbed him, "Matt!!! Lets go!!."
As he walked away, I laughed, "Boy is she cranky and for nothing... because he said hi?"
December of 2001. I'm invited to Tim's wedding. I don't go. I didn't want anybody getting the wrong ideas. I didn't like Matt.
Once the new year rolls around, Matt starts showing up at the Y more often.
January 21st, 2002. My 22nd birthday. I'm walking out of my apartment to my car, on my way to work. I notice something on my windshield, "Crap, who is leaving notes on my car and why."
I open the card and it's a birthday card from Matt. (uhu-o, he's working on me.)
I tell my friend Jessica, who LOVES the idea of Matt and I together, so she does the whole investigative thing for me and learns, "Yes, yes Matt likes you (me)."
He'll say today that he knew what he was doing by telling Jessica because he knew she was a spy seeking information for me. She basically talked me into giving him a chance.
See I never thought I'd be blessed enough to marry a man like Matt. I thought because of my family background that I'd never marry a son of a preacher. He would never want to take me home to meet his preacher wife mom and preacher husband dad; Baptist no-doubt.
After many long long walks around UCO's track, we both decided we liked each other. I can remember the conversations and it makes my little heart go 'pitter patter.'
By March, 2002, we were 'dating.' I met the family that same month. In April, his sister got married. I remember sitting in the sanctuary waiting on the ceremony to start. Matt was walking down the aisle taking something to the front for his sister. I could hear some family members behind me talking,
"Which boy is that? Is that Tim?"
"No, I think that's Matthew."
"That poor boy, he isn't married yet?"
"No, he's not."
I just wanted to yell, "I'm marrying him, we just haven't made it official yet!!!!"
See I knew I would marry Matt soon after the birthday card.
By October 12, 2002, we were husband and wife.
(I'll share my journal entries later. We are off to Matt's parents. His youngest brother, Tim, is preaching at his Dad's church. Today will be filled with football and fun.)
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Splagchnizomai: continued
When we were at the lake for our family reunion. Some of the kids were running around with bare feet. The adults kept telling them, "Boys there are stickers all over the place. I'd wear shoes if I were you."
Did they listen? No. Did they step in the stickers? Yes and they were the purple ones. If you know anything about stickers, you know the purple ones are the worst.
Yesterday I talked about having splagchnizomai or compassion.
Lifechurch.tv is doing a LifePack event.
Now I will explain the premise of a LifePack.
LifePacks - Showing God's love by gathering and sending supplies to meet material needs
For example, at the beginning of the school year. People will pick up a LifePack, fill it with school supplies and return it to the church. The church, and volunteers, will go out into the community and distribute them; usually to a near by apartment complex. Another time, we filled the packs with toiletry (can't spell that word) items for a facility that helped women.
(Click on the image to go to their website. Below is information from their website.)
Shoes for Orphan Souls, a ministry of Buckner International, provides new shoes and socks to orphans and at-risk children in the United States and throughout the world. From conducting shoe drives to humanitarian aid trips, Shoes for Orphan Souls offers hands-on opportunities to individuals, groups and organizations that want to transform lives through social ministry. Since 1999, 1.6 mission pairs of new shoes and socks have been distributed to children in 55 countries.
This year LifeChurch.tv is partnering with Shoes for Orphan Souls in order to equip 20,000 orphans around the world with a new pair of athletic shoes. It's hard for some to imagine, but, everyday children across the globe go without a pair of shoes. Without having their feet properly protected, children can get infections, parasites, or life-threatening bacteria from contaminated dirt, rusty nails and glass. What can be such a simple everyday accessory for so many of us can really be a life-changing gift for a child in need.
If you click on the picture above, it will take you to their site so you can scope it out. There is a link to buy shoes RIGHT ON THE WEBSITE!! Doesn't get much easier than that. Lifechurch.tv also registered for shoes through Target and Wal-Mart. (They made it brainless for you!!)
But, one thing about showing compassion; it interrupts, it costs AND it changes lives. (Quoted from Craig's sermon, I'm not that wise.)
I talked at the beginning of this post about my nephews stepping in the sticker patches b/c they weren't wearing shoes.
The sad part, is they could just walk inside, grab a pair, and continue on their day. Kids ALL over the world step in the stickers because they don't have the option of going inside, putting on shoes, and continuing on with their day; stickerless, germless and illness free.
YOU have the opportunity to prevent stickers.
To buy shoes from Target, click here. To buy shoes from Wal-Mart, click here.
I checked the registries. Wal-Mart has shoes as low as $6.00!!!! That is skipping one coffee at Starbucks to put shoes on a child's feet!!! That's not eating out for lunch one day!!!
$6.00 will keep feet stickerless.
If that mental picture doesn't break your heart and make you feel 'moved to action' then I need to make this a little more rough on the heart strings.
Another quote from Craig. (This should bring it home.)
To say you care but not act, is to not care at all.
Did that do it? Please buy a pair. Let me know if you do.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Splagchnizomai
(This graphic is for the first time Craig did this series. Click on it to watch last weeks message. I recommend.) (splangkh-nid'-zom-ahee); to have the bowels yearn, feel deep sympathy, to be moved to action.
This is the true definition of the word compassion.
Have you ever really pondered this word.
I've thought about it, but not using the definitions from the Hebrew word, splagchnizomai.
Craig is doing the series, Kaleo. (kal-eh'-o); to "call", bid, call (forth)
The title this week, "Called To Care"
Have you ever really pondered this word.
I've thought about it, but not using the definitions from the Hebrew word, splagchnizomai.
Craig is doing the series, Kaleo. (kal-eh'-o); to "call", bid, call (forth)
The title this week, "Called To Care"
What are you truly passionate about? I often think about that. There are things I love giving to, you know, certain organizations, but my bowels don't yearn. I have been moved to action and felt deep sympathy, but never a reactive bowel. I say that slightly jokingly, but with some seriousness.
Craig told a story.
On his way home from work, driving down a country road, in the middle of no where. There was a woman standing on the side of the intersection he was approaching. He thought, "I should stop, but I'm late for dinner. I should stop, but Amy is going to want me home now. I should stop, but ..."
He didn't stop. He says, "To this day I am haunted by the fact that I didn't stop."
As Christians, we are called to care!!
Craig goes on to tell the story in Luke 10:30-32. You know the man who was robbed and the preacher passed him by.
On my way out of church, I was going to grab some LifePacks (I'll explain those tomorrow and show you an opportunity to act.) to fill for children needing shoes, but I decided to wait until Matt and I got the kids out of LifeKids.
Once I got back downstairs, all of the LifePacks were gone!! I teared up. I felt like I just passed the old lady in the intersection. I said, "Oh, there will be some when I get back. Oh, I don't want to wait in line." I walked out of the sermon and did the EXACT SAME THING!! Can you believe it!? Satan got me before the doors opened!!
I should have known a sermon on 'being called to care,' would spur every one's little caring hearts.
Question: Was there a time you know you should have acted to help someone, but didn't?
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Our "Two" Lives
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times; it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness; it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity; it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness; it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair; we had everything before us, we had nothing before us; we were all going directly to Heaven, we were all going the other way." -Charles DickensOne of the things Matt and I loved at the ranch is being outdoors. Both of us are the outdoorsy type. This living in town thing is not really our first choice. We have often thought "when we make our next move closer to Tulsa, we'd love to buy a house in the country."
This would be perfect except, I'm guessing it would be a little tough with younger children. PLUS, I think we go to Wal-Mart 5 times a week. On second thought, we might save some money.
Anyways, I have been looking through old CD's that have my ranch pictures on them.
I put the quote from Tale of Two Cities because that quote sums up our experience.
One of the biggest things we miss about the country is fishing. We love love love to fish. The closest place from Bartlesville to fish is Pawhuska.
You have to look hard to see my little perch. "At least I'm catching something," is what I always thought.
I was fishing alone and had to use my foot to show how long this fish was so Matt would believe me.
I know that these bass aren't the biggest, but they were the biggest ones I caught. Matt has me beat in the 'big fish' category.
There were a few apple trees around. In the evenings, I would pick the yucky apples up from the ground and take them out near the ponds we fished. I'd dumped tons of apples and in the mornings not a core, stem, or a peel would remain.
A small track.
A rare find. The praying mantis.
I found one on the front window of my house last week. It's rare to see them, but I have seen quite a few lately.
I had two hummingbird feeders. I think I fed all the hummingbirds in Lincoln county. I would have to refill two feeders once to twice a week. They were fun to watch.
Another rare find. Probably rarer than the mantis...
The elusive zipper spider.
The boys had planted some tomato plants and this little chica made her web between the T-posts. We would find bugs and toss them into her web and she would go to town on them. It was exciting. I'm slightly weird though. She'd 'run' after the bug and wrap it up like a wrangler.
Her victim.
Although leaving was the most painful and the most God-doubting moment I've ever had in my life; to date. It was the right thing. Even though it happened slightly different than I had imagined.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Cooper 6 Months
My little cuddle bug is 6 months old today. *tear, sniffle*I was telling Matt last night that Chloe at 6 months was sitting up alone and holding her own bottle. (I'm not comparing their skills.)
(Chloe at 6 months)
Chloe is and was Miss Independent. She didn't and doesn't like to be helped or told what to do. Hmmm, she didn't inherit that from me. *wink*
Cooper loves to be held and cuddled. He is the most easy going little boy, I am so blessed. He inherits the 'easy going' personality from his Daddy. Chloe was such an easy baby. She slept through the night at 6 weeks, she would go to work with me and sleep in her car seat for hours!! She wouldn't sleep being held, at least not very often.
Cooper's favorite thing to do is sleep while being held, but don't worry he sleeps through the night as well. I have two kiddos that love sleep as much as their Mommy! Praise God!!
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Energizer the Bunny
While at the boys ranch, I rescued a baby cotton-tail from the jaws of evil-literally. Well, not evil, but from the jaws. The jaws of a white lab.
This lab roamed freely around the ranch.
In the back of our house was a pond.
On one side of the pond was overgrown weeds and such.
One evening, I was sitting out by the pond, on the benches to the left,while the boys fished, played and goofed around.
I began to hear crying and squealing; it was an odd sound. I look to my left (By the wooden fence in the photo. It's in the middle in the back.) and I see the lab with a rabbit hanging out of his mouth!!! I yell his name, it doesn't distract him. He throws it back like a depressed man would a shot of vodka in a bar! With out hesitation!!
I take off!!
I get to him just as he is about to 'throw back' the second one!! I grab his mouth and pry it open and retrieve this...
(Disregard my husband belly.)
He loved being on our stomachs and as gross as it may sound, he'd eat out of your belly button. haaha
I kept him for a few weeks, until I realized he didn't want to live in a house. He wanted to live in the wild. It broke my heart and it was a tough decision, but the right one. He was getting too hard to catch and would scratch us trying to get away.
This lab roamed freely around the ranch.
In the back of our house was a pond.
On one side of the pond was overgrown weeds and such.
One evening, I was sitting out by the pond, on the benches to the left,while the boys fished, played and goofed around.
I began to hear crying and squealing; it was an odd sound. I look to my left (By the wooden fence in the photo. It's in the middle in the back.) and I see the lab with a rabbit hanging out of his mouth!!! I yell his name, it doesn't distract him. He throws it back like a depressed man would a shot of vodka in a bar! With out hesitation!!
I take off!!
I get to him just as he is about to 'throw back' the second one!! I grab his mouth and pry it open and retrieve this...
I took him inside and bundle him up in a towel. I put the towel in a shoe box and tried to resemble a bunny hole; what ever that's called.
I called the vet. the next day and she told me to feed it carrots and milk. NOT to give it lettuce as one might think. Lettuce, oddly enough, is bad for a baby rabbit. It makes them bloat and they can die b/c they can't digest it. She said they usually don't live after an event like that, it usually stresses them out too much.
(Disregard my husband belly.)
He loved being on our stomachs and as gross as it may sound, he'd eat out of your belly button. haaha
I had this squirt syringe from having my wisdom teeth removed. I would fill it up with milk and he would drink it. So cute. I got up a few times a night to feed him, but later learned that the mother only feeds them during the day.
At night I would put him in my closet and hide carrots for him to find. In the morning, they would be all gone!
He loved small places and spaces. You had to keep a hand on him or he'd take off. When we had our days off, he came with us. Just like a baby, I would bring milk and carrots.
He loved sitting in your pocket. He'd snuggle up and go to sleep.
I kept him for a few weeks, until I realized he didn't want to live in a house. He wanted to live in the wild. It broke my heart and it was a tough decision, but the right one. He was getting too hard to catch and would scratch us trying to get away.
So I took him to the property line and let him go. I put carrots down just in case he got hungry. I cried and cried when he scurried away, but Matt kept reassuring me it was the right decision.
I wonder how little Energizer is doing today?
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