Not Me Monday - Memorial Day Week

Click MckMama to join the insanity.

Here goes my "Not Me" Monday list:

I did not buy a cake from the market, decorate it with fresh strawberries and try to pass it off as home-made at my neighbor's house on Memorial Day.

I did not let my toddler get into the neighbor's pool totally naked on Memorial Day, knowing the water was only 72 degrees. I hadn't planned on letting her get in and I absolutely do not give in to her after I've already said no. That would be poor parenting.

I did not miss going to school last week to volunteer, because I got my days mixed up. Those Monday holidays always get me off track.

I did not pull 6 boxes of baby clothes out of the attic and stack them in the hallway, thinking that I would list them on Craigslist. I may have gotten them listed, but have yet to get an interested caller. I wonder how long I'll let them sit there before I take them down to Goodwill.

I have not smashed my foot on those baby clothes boxes about 500 times now. It's not like they're in the way. We have plenty of room in our house.

As I write this, it is after 10pm on Sunday night and today is one of my longest friend's birthday. There is no way I could have forgotten to call her on her 40th! I'm sure I sent her a card, or did I?

And I am not totally jazzed that tomorrow is Toot Your Horn Tuesday. I mean, I love writing all these self-desparaging things about myself. It's much fun revealing all of my crazies for the whole world to see.

Make sure you come by tomorrow to play!!

Photostory Friday - Tea Party

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

Just a few photos of the Ladies Tea at my church.
What a blessing!

Wednesday feels like Tuesday

I have to keep reminding myself that today is Wednesday. Those Monday holidays always disrupt my body clock.

I'm disappointed that Mister Linky wasn't working properly yesterday for Toot Your Horn Tuesday, but we did have quite a few comments and players. Hope you'll go check out their blogs when you get a chance. Looking forward to more players next week!

Today, Glynis and I are off to visit Daddy at work!! Daddy got a new office!! We're so excited for him. We hear that it's big and even has a window! Guess he'll need a nice plant! He's been at this job now for just over a year and has moved up the ladder quickly because of his experience and hard work. We are so very proud of him.
---> A Big TOOT for Daddy!!! <---

That's the post for today. Hope you all have a Wednesday.

Toot Your Horn Tuesday - 2nd Edition

I'm so excited that it's Tuesday. Another chance to let all the flaws fall away and all of our strengths shine!

First of all, I've pushed through my newly developed allergies. I still felt crudy most of the week, but the house got cleaned!

Other things I accomplished:

I balanced the checkbook, paid the bills, mailed a few notes to friends, volunteered at the elementary school, completed one home improvement project, kept my garden watered, had lots of play time with Glynis, drove the boys to several activities and went grocery shopping.

And that's just the short list. I really am Super Mom!

I'm most pleased with myself for signing up with my husband for the couples Bible study Fireproof My Marriage.
It's only been a week, but we've both taken it very seriously. Make sure you check out the movie! Fireproof

Now here's where you sign up to play Toot Your Horn Tuesday. Write a "boastful" post about yourself and use the code on my sidebar to include that cute little "Toot" button. Then sign the Mister Linky with the correct link to take us directly to your Tooty post. Don't forget to comment here and on the other players' blogs. Have fun!
Toot Your Horn Tuesday Participants

1. Upstatemomof3

Powered by... Mister Linky's Magical Widgets.

*MR LINKY IS HAVING SOME DIFFICULTY THIS MORNING, SO LEAVE YOUR TOOTY COMMENTS BELOW!

Photostory Friday - Clue

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

Someone made a mess!! See if you can identify the culprits.
Here are The Suspects:

The Cat

The Toddler

Spontaneous Thought Explosion - From Her Brain, Not Mine

I'm very excited to introduce a GUEST BLOGGER today.
Alycia from Coloring Outside the Lines has graciously accepted my request to have a Spontaneous Thought Explosion on My Blog! So without further ado...

“Angels can fly because they take themselves lightly. Never forget that the devil fell by force of gravity. He who has the faith has the fun.”

I was recently asked to write a post for a fellow blogger along with some other bloggers. The topics that were to be discussed, to put it midly, were heavy, Violence, Economy, Stem Cell Research and Christianity to name a few. I have touched on a few of these subjects from time to time, but have a tendency to steer away from them as I enjoy writing with a more light-hearted flare. Even though there was no pressure put on me to write a “Fire and Brimstone” message on the aforementioned topics, I fretted. I stared at the list willing for a subject to jump out to me and inspire me to write the “Post Heard ‘Round The World” for you to read. I kept coming back to one word, Christianity. Why was I considering this a “heavy” topic? When exactly did Christianity become one of the serious and controversial topics for people to discuss among themselves, a word whispered with a cringe of who might judge you?

Being a Christian involves so many personal acts from the individual. Setting a good example, helping those in need, spreading the Good Word…but what about humor?

A merry heart doeth good like a medicine. Proverbs 17:22

If you attempt to watch the news these days you will be quickly consumed in the sadness of violence, selfishness, greed, the economy, unemployment rates, etc. It kind of makes it hard to smile and laugh doesn’t it?

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.
—Philippians 4:4

Key words here: Rejoice and Always. Always? Seriously? How on earth are we supposed to rejoice with all the negative around us? How about some “Fruit Salad” to get your rejoice digestion started?

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
—Galatians 5:22-23

Against such things there is no law? So we are not forced to be grim and serious speaking Christians? What better way to lead people to The One than with spreading some of that Fruit Salad around.

But that doesn’t quite answer the question of being happy during hard times does it? Try this one…

But let all those who take refuge and put their trust in You rejoice; let them ever sing and shout for joy, because You make a covering over them and defend them; let those also who love Your name be joyful in You and be in high spirits. -Psalm 5:11

There is your answer…taking refuge and putting our trust in God. That is where we can rejoice in the hard times. We have His promise that He will defend and protect us. That is by no means saying that we are immune to heartache and tragedies. Some of us, if not all of us, will face times that we feel crushed and brought to our knees. It’s what we do when we are on our knees that determine our emotional outcome. By seeking that refuge we find our joy in the hard times and reason to rejoice.
My favorite story in the Bible about humor and laughter is when Sarah is told that she is geriatric pregnant lady with no MediCare around to save her and no TLC to televise her extrordianry pregnancy. She laughed and even named her son after the word laughter. Talk about a sense of humor in hard times!!

ALYCIA

I'm on the hunt for more guest bloggers. Send me an email if you're interested in writing a Spontaneous Thought Explosion!!

A Reminder

I was getting the kids ready for bed, winding down for the night and then we got a phone call. My father-in-law was just taken to the emergency room with high blood pressure and irregular heart rhythm. He lives 3000 miles away. On the opposite coast. It's such a helpless feeling. A reminder of a call we received just over 3 years ago. My mother-in-law was killed in a car accident. Just like that. No goodbyes, no last hug, no notice. I don't think that this is a life threatening situation tonight, but scary none-the-less. Why is life so painful? Why does it hurt to love? All we can do is pray.

So often, when "situations" arise, my first reaction is to "react." I cry, call someone, scramble around to make arrangements or whatever, it seems like I always need to be reminded to PRAY!!

Over the last several weeks I had gotten into a bit of a funk. Just a general blue feeling. I admit that I did not take it to God. I took it to my husband. I took it to my friends. I spoke with my mother. What is wrong with me? Why on Earth would I wait to seek His help? Well, I finally got over myself and decided to take it to God. And guess what happened as a result? I instantly snapped out of it.
Lucky for you, I recorded the exact moment. It was one early morning, Glynis was still sleeping, I decided to take a walk around my backyard. I grabbed my camera (because I always do that ) and just started taking pictures. I recorded the sounds of the birds and bugs. I saw God's most simple and evident beauty right in my own yard. A few reminders of just how much He loves us. It calmed my spirit and I was able to really talk to Him and feel his presence. So here's that walk I took. For dramatic effect, I recorded a song w/ my son and made a short video. (disclaimer: I am not a recording artist, nor did we practice more than a couple of times, so if the song really pierces your ears, then feel free to turn off the volume and just watch)


I'll keep you updated about my father-in-law. Thanks for praying for him. Blessings!

Toot Your Horn Tuesday - First Edition

We all know that it's not polite to brag and that God warns us of being prideful, but don't we all do it from time to time? We're human and we all need that bit of affirmation. So let's let it all out here. I officially give God the glory for all of "our" accomplishments we're about to boast about. *wink*

Have I mentioned recently how awesome my kids are? This Friday night my oldest son will be singing and playing guitar at his high school talent show (for the 3rd year in a row.) I know I'll just sit there in my seat gleaming with joy. Look out American Idol!

And my other children are talented as well. Chandler sang in the 5th grade chorus program last week. Carson plays his bass guitar and keyboard in the praise band every week. I can't wait to see what Glynis can do. She's a pretty good dancer actually.

So I can't sing that well and I'm not especially talented in any other art or sport, but I'm feeling like a pretty good parent these days. Did you hear that I've been sick this past week? I'm on the mend now so I look forward to doing amazing things this upcoming week and will have lots to "toot" about next Tuesday.

Now it's your turn and I'm so glad you joined me today! On Monday's we are so tough on ourselves so let's flaunt our fantasticness on Tuesdays!

Here are the official rules for Toot Your Horn Tuesday

1. Write a list, a paragraph, a few sentences or even a book about all the wonderful things you accomplished over the last week or so. Include photos if you wish too. I love photos! Don't be modest. Really, tell us how wonderful you are! This isn't bragging. You're just sharing all of your God given blessings!

2. Make sure you copy the code from my sidebar and use the Toot Your Horn Button in your post.

3. Then, sign up on the Mr. Linky and most importantly, leave some love in the comment section below. Please use the direct link to your 'Toot Your Horn' post so that we can always find the superbness that is YOU!!

4. Lastly, check out the other blogger's posts! Leave encouraging comments for each other and maybe even learn a few things.

(If you're just visiting, feel free to just leave a comment and tell us how wonderful you were this week.)
Psalm 139: 13-14
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

Toot Your Horn Tuesday Participants

1. Helga 2. Upstatemomof3 3. Coloring Outside The Lines

4. Jackie 5. Learning To Let It Be. 6. Jill

7. Katrina @ Sevin Family

Powered by... Mister Linky's Magical Widgets.

I Heart Faces - Favorite Face

Blurb Photo Book Contest
Amateurs/Beginners Category

I'm not exactly a beginner, because I've been taking pictures of my children for almost 17 years, but I'm definitely an amateur!! Here's one of my favorite pictures ever. It's Glynis (last summer) looking like she's posed for an Ivory commercial.

I am submitting this photo into the www.iheartfaces.com Blurb Book photo contest. I am granting I ♥ Faces permission to use my photo in a printed version of a book for commercial use and possibly advertising of a photo book on both the Blurb and I ♥ Faces web sites.

Not Me Monday - Stop Complaining

I did not spend 2 days last week doing absolutely nothing except for making sure that Glynis stayed alive and the boys ate dinner. Because Mom's don't get sick days! Even when we absolutely cannot function, we still have to be functional!

I didn't tell my family over and over again how horrible I felt. I'm not a complainer.

I did not ever get irritable or short with my family. I'm always sugar sweet with everyone. You know, like a Disney Princess. That's me!


Now that I've gotten that off my chest, I'd like to offer up a reprieve from all of this deceit. Don't get me wrong, I love MckMama's Not Me Mondays! But how about trying this out tomorrow...Write a truthful list! And instead of fessing up to all of your faults, tell us about what you did right this past week! Tomorrow is "Toot Your Horn Tuesday!" So pat yourself on the back. Tell us how wonderful you are. Be your own best fan. Join the fun! I'll have a Mr. Linky ready for you every Tuesday. Can't wait to get this ball rolling. See you tomorrow!

Photostory Friday - Non Participant

It's Saturday and I'm feeling a wee bit better. I'm bummed that I didn't get a Photo Story Friday post up. I know I've got plenty of pics and stories to go along with them, but they'll have to wait. So for the weekend I'm leaving a few links to my favorite Photo Story Friday posts of other bloggers. In no particular order, these are my faves this week!
The Pink Dress
Unknown and Forgotten
From Canada with love
Shaking my head
Turn that frown upside down
You can get all the participants' links if you click here...



Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

AAh-Cho

My Dad and my brother have been long sufferers of allergy symptoms. My husband and one of my sons are also stuffy and sneezy during pollen season. But I have never had a problem.

...until now!

I've always had sympathy for allergy sufferers, but it wasn't until this Spring that I can say that I now have true empathy. It started with my eyes and now a stuffy nose, scatchy throat, and aww, the pressure!!

Guess I'll be heading to the drug store to replenish the household supply of meds.

Not Me Monday - Mother's Day

It's been forever since MckMama's been able to host a "Not Me Monday." In case you weren't aware, her youngest child was in the hospital for almost 2 months! Check out her site and read Stellan's harrowing story.

As for my "Not Me's," yesterday was so beautiful! Just take a look!

I did not have breakfast waiting for me when I got out of the shower. I'm always the first one in the kitchen preparing food.

At church, I did not have to work in the pre-k department for Mother's Day while all the other Moms were honored in the sanctuary with special music and a special sermon. But, I sure felt special when they brought in a beautiful carnation as a thank you for being there with those crazy little 4 year olds.

I couldn't have received this awesome new all-in-one printer from my family. They're not always so in tune with my likes and dislikes, but this time they hit it right on! I can't wait to hook it up!

There's just no way that I could have had all of my favorite foods on one plate! But I did! My family let me pick the entire menu. Shrimp, scallops, asparagus, a little salad and corn on the cob. And by the way, I ate every bite, plus a slice of New York Cheescake.

I did not then spend a beautiful, leisure afternoon with my family. And my kids can't possibly be the best kids in the world and I'm not blessed beyond measure. *smirk* Yeah Right! ;)

Photostory Friday - Food Critic

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

I've been away from the bloggy world again. Been busy with my new business...

Mom's Breakfast Diner. And I got a visit this morning from a famous food critic. I hope the review on my shredded wheat and blueberries is a good one!

For My Sister-in-Law

Now that I am gone, remember me with smiles and laughter.

And if you need to cry,

cry with your brother or sister who walks in grief beside you.

And when you need me, put your arms around anyone

and give to them what you need to give to me.

There are so many who need so much.

I want to leave you something --

something much better than words or sounds.

Look for me in the people I've known

or helped in some special way.

Let me live in your heart as well as in your mind.

You can love me most

by letting your love reach out to our loved ones,

by embracing them and living in their love.

Love does not die, people do.

So, when all that's left of me is love,

give me away as best you can.

~ Author unknown

There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than 10,000 tongues. They are the messengers of overwhelming grief, of deep contrition, and of unspeakable love.

~ Washington Irving

Happy Mother's Day to all

I'm Fine

Really I am. I'm just fine. I have a good God. Sometimes I might write a post that doesn't exactly show my faith in him, but that's because I'm trying to keep it real on here. Everyone gets into a funk sometimes. My faith doesn't falter, it just skips a beat here and there. The awesome thing about blogging is that we get to vent a little, plus we get fabulous support and love from all the comments that are left. Thank you Bloggy Buddies!!!
I've got a post ready for tomorrow's Photo Story Friday. It'll be up first thing in the morning. Until then, Have a super day!!!