Hugging Jesus

Claire: "Mama, I had a dream about Jesus. Well, kind of a dream."

Me: "Did you think it was real?"
Claire: "Yes"
Me: "Claire, that's wonderful, what happened in the dream?"

Claire: "Jesus gave me a hug."

Me: "That's great, what did Jesus look like?"

Claire: "He just looked like himself!"

She then said something about going up to heaven.

Me: "Did Jesus come in your room or did you go to heaven to hug Jesus?"

Claire: "I went to heaven on a pogo stick!"

It was a sweet reminder that her little mind is already thinking of Jesus. I pray that Jesus is already speaking to her little three-year -old heart preparing her for the day she accepts Him as her Savior. I know He holds her in His arms all the time, but I love thinking that she felt like she physically felt His arms around her (even if it was a dream). And who knows, maybe Jesus really did reach down and hug my precious child while she slept.

Look where I went...

On second thought, don't look. I'm ashamed after the fit I threw. Remember this?
I'm showing them my mean face

I'm not really ashamed of the fit, just the fact that I went back! Yes, they are still dead to me. I was forced! My arm was twisted! I just flat out had no choice! Well, kind of...

Brian really loves their soup and salad lunch special. He decided he was going with or without me. Being one who doesn't often pass up lunch out or time alone with my husband, I went along. I am proud to say that I didn't even lay eyes on their stinkin' excuse for so-called honey mustard. I also had the soup and salad. It was decent. I'll just leave it at that.

Claire's Dedication

Exactly three years ago today, we dedicated Claire to the Lord. We also dedicated Parker when he was a baby, but I decided to show you the pictures of Claire today. The dedication of both of our babies were such special moments. We promised to teach them about Jesus and raise them in a Christian home. I'm so thankful that God has trusted us with two precious children.

Claire with her Granddad (who is also our pastor)

I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of Him. So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord.

I Samuel 1:27, 28

I'm beginning to wonder if somebody knows something I don't know

This came in the mail addressed to me. I haven't needed anything like this in almost three years. Don't get me wrong, I used to love getting free formula and coupons, but

wedon'tneedthosehereanymore!

Do you think this is a sign that I need more children? (Hint: The correct answer here is NO!)

NyQuil

Happy Birthday Dad and Mike

We celebrated two birthdays on Friday. My dad and my brother Mike share a birthday so they almost always share a party! I took lots of pictures, but had to narrow it down a little. Sorry to all the family members who evidently weren't "blog-worthy" this time. I'll make it up to you!

Free is Good

Yesterday we went to Rita's Italian Ice because they were giving away free ice to celebrate the 1st day of spring. Yippee for free and yippee for spring!

When we got there, Parker and Claire were delighted to see a big bouncy house where they could play.

It was crowded (of course) and there was a long line out the door. This little guy pinched me while we were waiting! His mom didn't even stop him!!!

Claire obviously enjoying her treat!

Parker loved it too!

As we were leaving, the kids got to see a clown. Parker pointed out that it wasn't a real clown, just a man dressed up as a clown. He said he could tell because of his arms.

Friday Favorites

Favorite Vacation Spots We went to Sandals Resort in the Bahamas for our honeymoon. It was wonderful (minus the toothache).

We also went to Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas recently. Beautiful!!!

I really enjoyed visiting Los Angeles and Hollywood. San Fransisco and Monterrey/Pebble Beach were great too!

I love Disney World! It's even better now with my own kids!!!
New York is such an exciting city. Can't wait to go back!

And of course, my beloved Myrtle Beach, SC!

Some places I'd like to visit eventually are:

Hawaii

Paris

St. John

Australia

I'd also really like to visit Bermuda, England, Italy and many more places in the US.

I'd love to hear where your favorite vacation spots are as well as where you dream of going in the future!

Way Back Wednesday

September 2007

Look what I caught in my kitchen!

I caught the cutest little leprechauns running around my kitchen this morning...

And those sweet smiles are my pot o' gold!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

And you thought I was kidding...

Calling all prayer warriors!

It's strawberry night!

Update 7:25 pm

Imagine the tiniest sliver of strawberry you can smothered in chocolate dip. That's what Parker finally swallowed after he gagged and cried and gagged and cried. That's all I had the energy for tonight. There better be a few extra jewels in my heavenly crown. On second thought, maybe my crown could be made of bacon. Now that's a reward!

Finally Finished!

I finally finished the Twilight book series a while back. Now I'm reading this...

Should be interesting, so I'll probably post some thoughts while I make my way through the book. Have any of you read it?

Grapes of Wrath

See this...

A single purple grape. Sounds simple enough. A little grape just like this one just about caused two nervous breakdowns yesterday (mine and Parker's). How is that even possible, you ask?

Parker has decided that he doesn't like fruits or vegetables (unless you count mashed potatoes and applesauce). We are trying so hard to help him understand that a lot of foods taste really good if he will just give them a try. Especially fruit! For Pete's sake, it's sweet like candy! (I wonder what Pete ever did to get his name in that phrase!)

Night before last, we worked on apples. It wasn't easy, but he finally ate one slice of apple. I even offered him chocolate fruit dip to help him get over the obvious grossness that is the apple. Last night was grape night. I wanted him to eat one grape. Yes, just one grape. You'd have thought I had asked him to eat raw liver with a side of slugs. He cried and he gagged and he cried and he gagged. Oh and by the way, did you know that a grape has salad inside it? Well, Parker says it does because he saw a little hint of green in the middle of it. He dissected about four grapes before he finally swallowed enough to call it done.

We've tried everything and this issue is not new around our house. Please stay alert because I'll be sending out a special prayer request when strawberry night rolls around. THE SEEDS! IT'S RED! IT'S JUICY! Sweet Mercy...

Feels Like Yesterday

Way Back Wednesday

June 2006

Did you know I was in jail back in college?

I promised a post about my RA (Resident Assistant) days. I lived in a teeny, tiny room my freshman year of college in Lucille Clement Hall with a roommate. I had to go down the hall to the shared bathroom. Our room was seriously the size of my walk-in closet.

The next year, I became a RA in Carter Hall. If you look closely at the picture, my room was on the first floor, all the way to the left. See those two tiny little windows to the left of the door, those were mine. I had a great room as far as dorm rooms go. It was really large, all to myself, with a private bathroom. Heaven on campus earth. For the most part, our dorm was uneventful. Most of the people who lived there were upperclass(wo)men. I was "on-duty" one night a week, and one weekend a month. When I was "on-duty", I couldn't leave the dorm at all. Not even step outside. Basically, I was in jail. I usually convinced my friends to stay in jail with me. And then there was my mom making honey mustard deliveries. The weekends were the worst. Not only was I confined to the building, but I also had to "make rounds" EVERY HOUR. This meant I was supposed to walk the halls of all three floors to check for suspicious activity, make sure doors were locked, etc. Basically, I was on "boyfriend and pot patrol". I even had to go to the creepy basement laundry room which also had an outside door. This is where I was convinced the creepy men would find a way in and hide. It was monotonous and scary at times.

I loved living on campus, it was free, and I adored my big private room. Overall, I'm thankful for the experience, but I could have lived without that laundry room!

Any of you have a dorm or RA memory?

Smack Me A Somerset

A lot of people asked me about the phrase "Smack Me A Somerset" that I used in my honey mustard post. Being one who doesn't like to leave people with questions, I began to research. I have heard my mom say smack me a somerset all my life. I have in turn said it all my life. My mom says her mom said it all her life. Do you see the pattern? Oh, and she also added that my Aunt Jeannie has said it all her life. The jury is still out as to whether my Aunt Wava and Aunt Brenda have also said it all their lives. I'll keep you posted as updates develop in that area. I know you'll be on the edge of your seats waiting for that update.

Thus far, the conclusion has been drawn that it is a family phrase and not a regional, Southern phrase. If anyone out there has ever said smack me a somerset "all of your life", please let me know.

Official Definition:

Me: Surprised

My Mom: "Oh, I'm surprised!"

I predict I'll keep saying it. It's hard to break a lifelong habit!

Can a pony eat an ice cream cone? I'm just glad Jason's gone!

How's that for random?

No American Idol post this week. I was totally prepared to do one, but I just can't get myself motivated to write it. I am so underwhelmed with American Idol so far this season. Here's hoping it gets better!

Also, no "After The Final Rose" Part Deux post either my friends. Sweet Melissa didn't even show up (good for her). Therefore, I won't give any more blog space to that mess of an ending.

And lo, no Lost recap either. My brain is too tired.

Instead, I thought I'd just ramble a little about what we've been doing around here lately.

Welcome to Ponyville

(I didn't promise an exciting post, just a random one)

Here are the ponies posing in a line-up for you. Immediately after this picture, they did some mighty fine high kicks that would put any Rockette to shame.

And here they are just livin' their lives, going about pony business as usual.

After the pony playing, I found my sweeties watching tv all cuddled up in laundry baskets, pillows, and blankets.

And now...

Welcome to Seussville

Parker finally returned to school after what will forever be remembered as "The Great Stomach Virus Epidemic of 2009". His class have been celebrating Dr. Seuss this week. I went with him on a field trip yesterday to the library for some fun Dr. Seuss stories and songs.

Then to Dairy Queen for a treat. Have you ever tried to take approximately 65 kindergartners out for ice cream? Just wondering, because I have. After the initial mass chaos of getting the ice cream distributed to all 130 little hands, they actually did really great. (Side note: I just did that math in my head).

After the field trip, I picked up Claire from preschool. We stopped by a different Dairy Queen to get her some ice cream because life is nothing, if it's not fair. Right?