Cute Quote

One night after reading "Go, Dog, Go!", H was making her own party hat, just like the book.  At one point she was putting stickers on it and told me

"I am rejoicing that I get to put stickers on my party hat!". 

Silly girl.  I guess I'd rather haver her rejoicing over stickers than being discouraged:)

The Train Saga

A couple weeks ago when I was babysitting Abel overnight, he announced that he wanted to play with his train tracks.  Now, this isn't just a tiny little train track.  It's awesome.  But a little intimidating for me, a very NON construction type person.  But I had the directions in hand and was determined to figure this out.  So we I started by getting everything organized into piles.

Then we I toiled for what seemed like hours which was really only probably about 20 minutes.  Getting very frustrated in the process because it seemed like they didn't have the whole set or something.  There were so many pieces missing and there was no way to get the track built how it was supposed to.  So after trying so hard to keep Abel off of the track, I finally relented and let him start destroying building how he wanted to build.  After he had succeeded in taking apart my hard work, I realized that the pieces were all double sided and we did in fact have all the necessary pieces.  *SIGH*

Not to be discouraged though, we improvised.  We did have a completed track, just a little smaller than originally planned!

My 16 Year Old Self

Today while blog hopping I came across a blog I had never read before.  I've never met this girl but her husband was a few years younger than me in school so I know where she belongs.  She was reading a book of what people would tell their 16 year old selves, then she made her own list.  It got me thinking of what I might tell my own 16 year old self.  Maybe not 16 exactly, but definitely a younger version.  There's lots more I could think of (probably more personal things) but here's a few that I came up with.

1.) Driving a junky car builds character.  So does paying for the gas and insurance.

2.)You may not want to admit it, but when your mom says you could put more effort into your grades, she's right.

3.)It's okay to go to college and not know exactly what you're going to do.  Take some time to get your gen eds done and find different things you're interested in.  There's a lot of options out there.

4.) Hiking boots and flannel shirts have their place, but not everyday of your life!

5.) And your hair- there's much better ways to do it.

                  (So glad I don't have a picture on here of those last two!!)

6,) Don't count on getting married really young.  Don't even spend too much time hoping to.  There's going to be so many awesome memories you make as a single person.

7.) School goes by fast.  Don't switch from a bachelor's program to an associate's because you just want to be done with it. (Or because you're doing exactly what I told you not to in number 6.)

8.) You don't have to be the last person to leave any given social function.  Getting enough sleep is a good thing.

9.) Take Spanish III and IV!

10.) It's great to spend so much time with your church friends.  But don't neglect your school friends.  There will come a day when you'll wish you had kept in better touch with them.

Well there you have it.  Now don't get me wrong.  I believe that experience is a great teacher and I'm okay with the fact that I did or didn't do most of these things.  Hindsight is always 20/20, isn't it?  But there are definitely times that I look back on my life and just shake my head.  Especially when it comes to hiking boots and flannel shirts.

Lord, You're Holy

Starts off a little slow but if there's ever been a song that makes me want to jump up and throw my hands in the air this one just might be it:)


Wonderful, Glorious, Holy and Righteous
Victorious, Conquerer, Triumphant and Mighty
Healer, Deliverer, Shield and Defense
Strong Tower and My Best Friend
Omnipotent, Omnipresent, Soon Coming King
Alpha, Omega, Lord of Everything

Playing House

This weekend my church had an overnight marriage conference and I got to babysit my cousin's little boy, Abel.  We had lots of fun together:)  We went to Pizza Hut for supper then came home for bathtime and playtime before bed.  I'm used to getting up early but I'm not used to getting up early with a child who needs attention right away so that was the only thing I was a little nervous about.  But the little dear slept until almost 8:00!  I was quite pleased.

Saturday we spent our day reading lots and lots of books, (I think I have "The Icky Sticky Frog" memorized now), visiting my nieces, going to Caleri's for lunch, watching Mater's Tall Tales and playing with the giant train track.
While we were visiting my nieces, she decided she wanted to play wedding.  She was a lot more into it that Abel was!  And I really like this picture of both of them but I took it when my lens was still fogged up from being out in the cold.  And of course there was no recreating the moment once my camera was cleared up.

We were just about to take a picture of the two of us but right when I snapped it, in walked his mommy and daddy so there went that idea.  But we sure had fun while it lasted!

Last Minute Quick Trip

Last Sunday I was on the phone with Devin and the conversation went something like this:
Devin: "So when are you gonna come back down to visit?"
Me: "Um, probably not until sometime in March."
Devin: *long pause*.......... "That's a really long time."

So, after thinking about it, I decided on Wednesday that I would quick run down to Alabama because this weekend was the only weekend I had free between now and March.  And that conversation made me lonesome for Devin.  So now I'm back, it's midnight, I'm tired and I really should be in bed sleeping, but I'm tired of seeing the droopy plant picture so I thought I'd post real quick.

While I was packing, I was informed that the kickboxing class I used to go to was scheduled for Saturday morning and Jessica invited me to go with her.  You have no idea how excited I was.  So I dug out my gloves and wraps and started my weekend out right.  We tried to do a serious tough girl face but quite honestly, I don't think either one of us is really that tough.  But it sure was fun to go to that class again.

After lunch I picked up Devin for lunch then we spent the afternoon together.  We decided to take a picture while we were sitting in the car wash.  You don't realize quite how dirty salt makes your car until yours is the only one around that is salt crusted.  So that's one of the things we did after lunch.  My hair I blame on the wind and putting a hoodie on.  His hair?  Well, let's just say that if I was his mother it wouldn't be long enough for pigtails.

I'm so glad I decided to go.  Quick as it was, it was just really good.  Still feels like home down there.    Saturday night there was a family there from Atlanta that I know and we all had supper together and lots of sweet fellowship.  I got home feeling really encouraged and my heart is happy:)  Good night!

Water Is Essential

I've never claimed to have a green thumb.  I probably could kill a fake plant.  I have dreams of one day having a big garden from which I can harvest the bounty and can and freeze food.  I'm not sure that dream will ever be a reality:) 
When I started working at Visiting Angels, I inherited a plant that was left by the last care coordinator.  The poor thing gets forgotten and neglected all too easily.  This morning, after being gone for three days I was greeted by a very droopy plant.

But, with a little water and a little coaxing, it was soon perked up almost back to normal!  Yes, water is most definitely essential.