Me, Emily and Laura
And all the Zetas!
Pictures from Claire's first haircut and the 13th Annual Fat Kid Christmas Party are coming soon (hopefully)!
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Here comes the bride...
Our good friends Robert and Melissa got married a few weekends ago, and in the fun of seeing all my old sorority sisters, I took only two pictures. Oh well, here they are...
Pictures from Claire's first haircut and the 13th Annual Fat Kid Christmas Party are coming soon (hopefully)!
Pictures from Claire's first haircut and the 13th Annual Fat Kid Christmas Party are coming soon (hopefully)!
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Thankful (for Fat Kids) on a Thursday
If you have been reading my blog for any length of time, you know that my best friends from high school in New Orleans are fondly known as the Fat Kids. We have been getting together for an annual Christmas party for 13 years now. (Or maybe it's 14- Casie, I know you read the blog, correct me if I'm wrong). It usually entails a lot of food, the most wonderful slush drink that Tara makes, a dirty Santa gift exchange and a really good time.
Girls have come and gone from the party, but the seven of us have been there through it all: the trauma that can be an all-girls high school, boyfriends, bad friends, jobs, family mess. We have stayed together despite moving away to college, getting married, having babies.
So today, I am thankful for my trip to New Orleans to reconnect with the girls that defined my teenage years, rescued me from depression, supported me through anything, stood in my wedding, celebrated the birth of my daughter and will surely take me to the nursing home in fifty years.
126. The Next Generation. We have started the second generation of Fat Kids- Christine's little Laynie, Claire, and Holly's little Savvy- just born this October. What we will do next year when Christine has a boy, I have no idea.
127. The Ornaments. We do a dirty Santa gift exchange every year for around $40 with an ornament. But the ornament has really become the best part. One year, I got a Lucky Dog stand ornament and my other favorite is two flowers in a flower pot that says Best Buds. I scored an awesome deal on my gift this year, but the ornament is still the best part.
128. Good Food. We bring our A-Game to the party when it comes to food. Whether it's artichoke balls, crab dip or stuffed mushrooms, the food at these parties is always amazing. And a tribute to why we started calling ourselves Fat Kids in the first place- we love to eat!
129. Reminiscing. After a few cocktails, we seem to remember more than we forget. It's such a good time to sit around the table (or we may brave the fire pit outside if there were more than a few cocktails) and just talk about after-prom parties and ringing the bell at Holy Cross after a Friday night football win. There's talk about how much has changed, and those things that are still.the.same. We need to start writing these down before we get old and really do start to forget!
130. My Beautiful Fat Kids. Here we are at last year's party. There was an awful flood that night; Claire was only eight weeks old, Holly had water coming into her house from a leak in the roof, I think Preau may have walked to Casie's from a few blocks away. But despite it all- we were together- and this is what it's all about!
I won't be able to comment much, but you can still linky...
Girls have come and gone from the party, but the seven of us have been there through it all: the trauma that can be an all-girls high school, boyfriends, bad friends, jobs, family mess. We have stayed together despite moving away to college, getting married, having babies.
So today, I am thankful for my trip to New Orleans to reconnect with the girls that defined my teenage years, rescued me from depression, supported me through anything, stood in my wedding, celebrated the birth of my daughter and will surely take me to the nursing home in fifty years.
126. The Next Generation. We have started the second generation of Fat Kids- Christine's little Laynie, Claire, and Holly's little Savvy- just born this October. What we will do next year when Christine has a boy, I have no idea.
127. The Ornaments. We do a dirty Santa gift exchange every year for around $40 with an ornament. But the ornament has really become the best part. One year, I got a Lucky Dog stand ornament and my other favorite is two flowers in a flower pot that says Best Buds. I scored an awesome deal on my gift this year, but the ornament is still the best part.
128. Good Food. We bring our A-Game to the party when it comes to food. Whether it's artichoke balls, crab dip or stuffed mushrooms, the food at these parties is always amazing. And a tribute to why we started calling ourselves Fat Kids in the first place- we love to eat!
129. Reminiscing. After a few cocktails, we seem to remember more than we forget. It's such a good time to sit around the table (or we may brave the fire pit outside if there were more than a few cocktails) and just talk about after-prom parties and ringing the bell at Holy Cross after a Friday night football win. There's talk about how much has changed, and those things that are still.the.same. We need to start writing these down before we get old and really do start to forget!
130. My Beautiful Fat Kids. Here we are at last year's party. There was an awful flood that night; Claire was only eight weeks old, Holly had water coming into her house from a leak in the roof, I think Preau may have walked to Casie's from a few blocks away. But despite it all- we were together- and this is what it's all about!
I won't be able to comment much, but you can still linky...
Monday, December 13, 2010
Roll Tide Roll!
Yes, these are like a month old, but here are some pics from Luke and I at the Alabama vs. Mississippi State game in November.
Since I've been to two Tennessee games this year (and both in Knoxville) Luke agreed to tag along and cheer on the Tide. We got to visit with some of Luke's friends from Tuscaloosa and his old buddies from work. And we came out with a WIN!
Thanks PJ for the awesome tickets!
We were sitting on the first row! You had to stand up the whole time, but who would have an Alabama game any other way?
I think this was right before half-time?
We were winning by a lot, so our QB was on the sidelines.
Since I've been to two Tennessee games this year (and both in Knoxville) Luke agreed to tag along and cheer on the Tide. We got to visit with some of Luke's friends from Tuscaloosa and his old buddies from work. And we came out with a WIN!
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Thankful (for Christmas) on a Thursday
I love this time of year! I just love it! To me, there is nothing better than hot chocolate with a melted candy cane in the bottom and watching the twinkling Christmas lights over the top of my china hutch. Add a warm fire and Christmas music, and I am set.
121. Heat. While I was pulling the Christmas decorations out of the attic, I apparently hit a switch on the gas heater and blew a transformer. So that meant no power to the thermostat. For.three.days. Until we broke down and called someone to come look at it. When I got home (and $200 later), the house was toasty warm again and I have never been so thankful for heat!
122. A Forgiving Husband. That $200 hit him hard, but he forgave me. That's something to be really thankful for!
123. Christmas Music. Every year, I wait for the day after Thanksgiving for the radio stations to start playing all-day-long Christmas music. If you don't like an old-fashioned Jessica Simpson rendition of Santa Baby, you can ride in someone else's car.
124. Wrapping Paper. I always hit up the after-Christmas 90% off sales to get my wrapping paper for the following year and I can hardly wait to break it out. Disney Christmas Princesses and Winnie the Pooh with a Santa hat make me giddy like a kid- well, a kid at Christmas I guess. Here's a shot of last year's favorite paper and a reminder of how little my baby was!
125. Christmas Services at Church. We have the best Christmas services at Church of the Highlands. Simply.the.best. They are all at the Grants Mill campus (which isn't our home campus, but also isn't too far away) and my favorite part is when they turn all of the lights off, start with one candle, and as we sing Silent Night, the room begins to fill with light as candles are lit person to person, row to row. Once the auditorium of 2,500 is filled, it is the most beautiful sight to behold.
And yeah for the linky!
121. Heat. While I was pulling the Christmas decorations out of the attic, I apparently hit a switch on the gas heater and blew a transformer. So that meant no power to the thermostat. For.three.days. Until we broke down and called someone to come look at it. When I got home (and $200 later), the house was toasty warm again and I have never been so thankful for heat!
122. A Forgiving Husband. That $200 hit him hard, but he forgave me. That's something to be really thankful for!
123. Christmas Music. Every year, I wait for the day after Thanksgiving for the radio stations to start playing all-day-long Christmas music. If you don't like an old-fashioned Jessica Simpson rendition of Santa Baby, you can ride in someone else's car.
124. Wrapping Paper. I always hit up the after-Christmas 90% off sales to get my wrapping paper for the following year and I can hardly wait to break it out. Disney Christmas Princesses and Winnie the Pooh with a Santa hat make me giddy like a kid- well, a kid at Christmas I guess. Here's a shot of last year's favorite paper and a reminder of how little my baby was!
125. Christmas Services at Church. We have the best Christmas services at Church of the Highlands. Simply.the.best. They are all at the Grants Mill campus (which isn't our home campus, but also isn't too far away) and my favorite part is when they turn all of the lights off, start with one candle, and as we sing Silent Night, the room begins to fill with light as candles are lit person to person, row to row. Once the auditorium of 2,500 is filled, it is the most beautiful sight to behold.
And yeah for the linky!
Friday, December 3, 2010
Happy Halloween! (and only five weeks late)
I promised these pictures by Christmas and made it! It was a great time, trick or treating with her cousins. And I'm pretty sure you don't want a sappy account of how I was sad my baby was walking door to door with her big blue eyes and smiling at strangers for candy, so I'll jet leave you with pictures. I'm pretty sure that's what you came for.
Getting Claire dressed.
Cousin Liam was a monkey
Claire's First Trick or Treat House
Claire and a bumble mee Mommy
Once they got tired of walking, it was into the wagon
How we will top Tinkerbell next year, I don't know. But hopefully we'll come up with something! Now, is it possible, I could also have Thanksgiving pictures up by New Year's. We shall see.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
WOW! (aka: Thankful on a Thursday)
So it's already Thursday again and I just realized that I set last week's post to publish on Thanksgiving without ever finishing it! I even said I was proud of myself for posting it! I guess I have more faith in my abilities than I had time. Oh well. Here is the rest of that post (that I just wrote).
116. My Car Filled with Gas. I am horrible about putting gas in may car, and it seems to live on EMPTY, so I am very thankful that every time Luke takes it out somewhere, he fills it up with gas. (But he does remind me that if I were to ever run out of gas on the side of the road, my first call should be to AAA and not him. He was joking. I think.)
117. A Great Shower for Great Friends. We had a wonderful, fun, and dare I say child-free night two weeks ago (remember how behind I am?) celebrating a wedding shower for our good friends Melissa & Robert. It was so good to catch up with old friends that only seem to reconvene when someone gets married or knocked up.
118. THANKSGIVING! We had a fabulous time in Atlanta with dad's side of the family. Claire was the belle of the ball with the whole family fighting to hold her. Cooper loved running free and hitting the lake behind my cousin's house. We have done this family reunion every Thanksgiving since I can remember, but I think it's gets better every time!
119. Good Deals. We went to the North Georgia outlets on Black Friday and hit up some serious sales. All in all we saved over $1,700, or about 170% of what we spent. We were stacking dollar coupons on percentage off coupons. Even some serious shoppers were really impressed. I am thankful for the resources and knowledge to save!
120. A New Baby McGlothin. No, not me! Don't even think about that. It's Luke's youngest sister Jessica and her husband Luke that will welcome baby #2 in July (and it's technically baby Wyatt). This will be the McGlothin's sixth grandchild, and we are all so thrilled!
And hopefully the linky will work this week...
116. My Car Filled with Gas. I am horrible about putting gas in may car, and it seems to live on EMPTY, so I am very thankful that every time Luke takes it out somewhere, he fills it up with gas. (But he does remind me that if I were to ever run out of gas on the side of the road, my first call should be to AAA and not him. He was joking. I think.)
117. A Great Shower for Great Friends. We had a wonderful, fun, and dare I say child-free night two weeks ago (remember how behind I am?) celebrating a wedding shower for our good friends Melissa & Robert. It was so good to catch up with old friends that only seem to reconvene when someone gets married or knocked up.
118. THANKSGIVING! We had a fabulous time in Atlanta with dad's side of the family. Claire was the belle of the ball with the whole family fighting to hold her. Cooper loved running free and hitting the lake behind my cousin's house. We have done this family reunion every Thanksgiving since I can remember, but I think it's gets better every time!
119. Good Deals. We went to the North Georgia outlets on Black Friday and hit up some serious sales. All in all we saved over $1,700, or about 170% of what we spent. We were stacking dollar coupons on percentage off coupons. Even some serious shoppers were really impressed. I am thankful for the resources and knowledge to save!
120. A New Baby McGlothin. No, not me! Don't even think about that. It's Luke's youngest sister Jessica and her husband Luke that will welcome baby #2 in July (and it's technically baby Wyatt). This will be the McGlothin's sixth grandchild, and we are all so thrilled!
And hopefully the linky will work this week...
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Thankful on a Thanksgiving Thursday
I am super proud of myself for actually getting this post typed up and set to publish while we are out of town. As you are reading this, we are in Atlanta with my dad's side of the family for our annual Thanksgiving extravaganza! (And extravaganza is no exxageration. This is a true example of a par-tay.)
So here is our Thanksgiving version of Thankful on a Thursday!
116. My Car Filled with Gas. I am horrible about putting gas in may car, and it seems to live on EMPTY, so I am very thankful that every time Luke takes it out somewhere, he fills it up with gas. (But he does remind me that if I were to ever run out of gas on the side of the road, my first call should be to AAA and not him. He was joking. I think.)
So here is our Thanksgiving version of Thankful on a Thursday!
116. My Car Filled with Gas. I am horrible about putting gas in may car, and it seems to live on EMPTY, so I am very thankful that every time Luke takes it out somewhere, he fills it up with gas. (But he does remind me that if I were to ever run out of gas on the side of the road, my first call should be to AAA and not him. He was joking. I think.)
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
License and Registration, Please
Please take a look at the adorable-ness (if that's a word) of my daughter... I know you can't help but tilt your head to the side, say "aww" and only wish your kids were this cute. Ok, I'm kidding. About the last part, at least. Totally sticking to the first part about how those bright blue eyes and oh-so-pinchable cheeks make your heart melt inside.
And please note that this picture was taken about a month ago before our lawn was covered in fallen leaves (like where you can't even see the starting-to-die-grass-at-all) and sandals were still appropriate for toddlers outside. But you already know how speedy I am about posting pictures, so I'll leave it at that.
If she stays this way, she'll never get a speeding ticket in her life! (Unlike her mother who has had more than you can count on a single hand in less than as many years. What can I say? I had a lead foot in college, but it has been over five years since my last ticket. I have precious cargo now!)
And please note that this picture was taken about a month ago before our lawn was covered in fallen leaves (like where you can't even see the starting-to-die-grass-at-all) and sandals were still appropriate for toddlers outside. But you already know how speedy I am about posting pictures, so I'll leave it at that.
If she stays this way, she'll never get a speeding ticket in her life! (Unlike her mother who has had more than you can count on a single hand in less than as many years. What can I say? I had a lead foot in college, but it has been over five years since my last ticket. I have precious cargo now!)
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Year 3
I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security. Jeremiah 33:6
Mom just had her annual mammogram, and all is clear! She is now three years cancer free, and we praise God. He is good and He is the healer of all.
This is an old picture of us, but one of my absolute favorites! Mom, I love you and am know that you will be around for me and my kids for a long time!
Mom just had her annual mammogram, and all is clear! She is now three years cancer free, and we praise God. He is good and He is the healer of all.
This is an old picture of us, but one of my absolute favorites! Mom, I love you and am know that you will be around for me and my kids for a long time!
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Thankful to be here on a Thursday
Yes, I know it's been a while, but I already told you what my priorities are. And my family comes before my blog. So, we are just thankful to be here.
111. Navy Blue Chocolates. Luke and I are helping to host a shower for some good friends of ours getting married, and everything is navy blue and silver. But after the third store, I found navy blue chocolates, and knew I had to have them for the favors.
112. Clean Kitchen. Six hundred navy blue chocolate hearts later, my kitchen looked as if there had been a smurf tragedy. And since Luke has been so wonderful putting up with my creative side through Jay's wedding, Claire's birthday and this shower, I did some deep cleaning. And that feels good!
113. Points of Passion. It is our annual message at church that highlights what our points of passion have been as a church body over the past year. And it was AMAZING! There is so much that God is doing in our community, in our country and around the world. And He deserves all the glory! (And we even got word that a new auditorium is coming to our Riverchase campus! No more sitting on the ground because all chairs are full! That is something to be thankful for!)
114. Forward Facing Car Seat. It's so much fun to be able to really see my angel now. We went to a forward facing car seat a few weeks ago, and just love it!
115. Crisp Fall Air. I love pulling out my red pea coat and bundling Claire from head to toe for a walk. It means football season is in full swing and Thanksgiving is just around the corner. It means I am busting at the seams to pull out my Christmas decorations- even the snowman that moons you. It also means we are closer to our visit with Bella (which starts the day after Christmas). I am so thankful for this season!
What are you thankful for today? Linky linky!
111. Navy Blue Chocolates. Luke and I are helping to host a shower for some good friends of ours getting married, and everything is navy blue and silver. But after the third store, I found navy blue chocolates, and knew I had to have them for the favors.
112. Clean Kitchen. Six hundred navy blue chocolate hearts later, my kitchen looked as if there had been a smurf tragedy. And since Luke has been so wonderful putting up with my creative side through Jay's wedding, Claire's birthday and this shower, I did some deep cleaning. And that feels good!
113. Points of Passion. It is our annual message at church that highlights what our points of passion have been as a church body over the past year. And it was AMAZING! There is so much that God is doing in our community, in our country and around the world. And He deserves all the glory! (And we even got word that a new auditorium is coming to our Riverchase campus! No more sitting on the ground because all chairs are full! That is something to be thankful for!)
114. Forward Facing Car Seat. It's so much fun to be able to really see my angel now. We went to a forward facing car seat a few weeks ago, and just love it!
115. Crisp Fall Air. I love pulling out my red pea coat and bundling Claire from head to toe for a walk. It means football season is in full swing and Thanksgiving is just around the corner. It means I am busting at the seams to pull out my Christmas decorations- even the snowman that moons you. It also means we are closer to our visit with Bella (which starts the day after Christmas). I am so thankful for this season!
What are you thankful for today? Linky linky!
Monday, November 15, 2010
Tailgating with the Tide
We have made it to Tuscaloosa twice and Knoxville twice so far this football season. And we love tailgating. I get caught up in the friends, food and fun, so I don't grab many picture, but here are a few...
This was her hang out place while snacking
And when she got down, see needed something to play with. Don't judge.
So we pull out the toy bag
Found some!
My amazing friend Katie with Claire doing her best to make this a blurry shot. Well done, Claire. Well done!
I couldn't believe she kept that bow in all day!
And ROLL TIDE ROLL! We went to the Mississippi State game too, so pictures from that are coming eventually. (Notice, I said "eventually," and not "soon." I'm accepting my own limitations.)
Monday, November 8, 2010
Smashing
And here are the smash cake pictures... Yes, I forgot to do this at the party because there was so much going on, so a few days later, we all had cake. And three weeks later, I'm finally getting around to posting about it! In the mind of Claire (wait, I didn't tell you I was a mind reader? Ha, I wish!) So if I could read minds, I think this would be her recap of events...
You let me put my tutu back on and now you expect me to sit here?
And then you put my hand in a brown pile of mush?
And you think you can put a bow in my hair?
But this is pretty tasty!
And if I smear all this chocolate on the bow, you won't put it back in my hair!
I'm trying to push this tray off with my feet so you now I'm ready to get down and twirl in my tutu!
The End.
PS. Hope to have Halloween pics up by Christmas so bear with me here!
Thursday, November 4, 2010
After these messages... we'll be right back
That is what I remember most about Saturday mornings. Cartoons and singing that silly jingle with my brother. So I hope it makes you smile, considering I haven't posted since last week's Thankful on a Thursday.
But we are good. Great, actually. Really enjoying each other and the time we have together as a family. So much that I have stopped going to the gym so I can spend two more evenings a week with my baby. Or maybe I'm just telling myself that because I'm too lazy to get back into my gym routine. Whatever the case may be, we are still here, just not here.
I have just downloaded a boat load of pictures to my computer and will hopefully get them up soon. Just don't expect a lot of words, okay?
Sing it again! After these messages... we'll be right back!
But we are good. Great, actually. Really enjoying each other and the time we have together as a family. So much that I have stopped going to the gym so I can spend two more evenings a week with my baby. Or maybe I'm just telling myself that because I'm too lazy to get back into my gym routine. Whatever the case may be, we are still here, just not here.
I have just downloaded a boat load of pictures to my computer and will hopefully get them up soon. Just don't expect a lot of words, okay?
Sing it again! After these messages... we'll be right back!
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Thankful on a Thursday
Yeah! It's Thursday again! I'm excited because it's one day closer to the weekend but also because it's another chance to give thanks to God for all of His wonderful blessings.
Don't forget to link up!
106. Auntie Kristin & Uncle Christian. They are coming in town this weekend and are so looking forward to loving on their nieces and nephews. And we are so thankful for them for too many reasons to list!
107. Christian's New Gig. He just got on part-time as the Worship Coordinator at his church! He is an awesome musician and we love that he shares his talents with others as we glorify God. And this is hopefully going to turn into a full time position, so we are continuing to pray for wisdom and direction in their lives!
108. Halloween. I know it's basically against everything that we as followers of Christ believe in, but I think these things are what you make of them, not what the world makes of them. I am personally thankful for little people dressed up as pumpkins, caramel apples and an overload of candy- even for adults.
109. Trick-or-Treating. We are all gathering at my in-laws house for some family trick-or-treating. I didn't get to grow up around any of my aunts, uncles or cousins. And I am so thankful that not only does Claire get to be with Jessica and Camille while we are at work, she gets to spend lots of time with most of Luke's siblings and their children as well. I just love that they are going to grow up together being such close cousins and friends.
110. A Successful Date Night. We are doing well on our commitment to spend more quality time together as husband and wife. Last night we went to the movies, and thanks to Stimulus Tuesdays and the Carmike Theater, we made it out of there for less than $10.00 total! (If you live in Birmingham, are as cheap as I am, and have never been to the dollar movie, you are really missing out.)
Don't forget to link up!
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
My Village
They say it takes a village to raise a family, or something like that... Mom was having lunch with some of her closest friends that couldn't make it to Jay's wedding and asked that I send some pictures to Walgreen's so that she could pick them up to share with her friends over lunch. And then I found this picture...
I remember Autnie Em trying to get us all together for this picture during the reception, thinking she was crazy! But I look at it, and this is my village. These are the people that raised Jay and I. And no matter how far apart our lives may take us- Mandeville, LA to Jackson, MS to Charlotte, NC to Birmingham, AL- they flock back to us for those oh so important events as if we were there own children.
Leenie rescued me when my mom threatened to flush me down a toilet when I was a baby because I would.not.stop.crying. Her backyard backed up to ours and we always said we should have built a gate to make things easier.
And Auntie Em... She read in mom's wedding, I think mom read in hers, her daughter Jackie read in my wedding and I read in Jackie's wedding earlier this year. Mom and Emmie have seen the sun rise in like 20 states and they never met a bottle of wine they didn't like.
We used to do Mardi Gras at Aunt Abby's house when they lived uptown, and we did it big! Like kids in buckets on top of ladders- BIG! And buckets of fried chicken with all the fixins'- BIG! She and Uncle Kerry are my godparents and my mom and dad are their daughter Alicia's godparents.
So there they are... My Village. And I good looking one if I do say so myself. I love you all, and you will never know how much you mean to me and my family.
I remember Autnie Em trying to get us all together for this picture during the reception, thinking she was crazy! But I look at it, and this is my village. These are the people that raised Jay and I. And no matter how far apart our lives may take us- Mandeville, LA to Jackson, MS to Charlotte, NC to Birmingham, AL- they flock back to us for those oh so important events as if we were there own children.
Leenie rescued me when my mom threatened to flush me down a toilet when I was a baby because I would.not.stop.crying. Her backyard backed up to ours and we always said we should have built a gate to make things easier.
And Auntie Em... She read in mom's wedding, I think mom read in hers, her daughter Jackie read in my wedding and I read in Jackie's wedding earlier this year. Mom and Emmie have seen the sun rise in like 20 states and they never met a bottle of wine they didn't like.
We used to do Mardi Gras at Aunt Abby's house when they lived uptown, and we did it big! Like kids in buckets on top of ladders- BIG! And buckets of fried chicken with all the fixins'- BIG! She and Uncle Kerry are my godparents and my mom and dad are their daughter Alicia's godparents.
So there they are... My Village. And I good looking one if I do say so myself. I love you all, and you will never know how much you mean to me and my family.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Thankful on a Thursday
This week has been one of awakening for me. Just something in me that clicked that said, "you are not on the right path." So we've made some changes, and I am so thankful for that. Really, I think it came from one of the most powerful messages I've heard at Church of the Highlands on Unmasking a Life of Chaos.
It was all about how the cool response to "how are you doing" these days is... "oh, well we're really busy." Like being busy is a status symbol of how important we are. But what we really want, or what the Bible tells us we should want, is a life of intentionality. Living life with an intention. One of the best quotes from that message was "never let the urgent get in the way of the important." Wow! How often have I put something important aside because something less important but more urgent was placed in front of me.
With that said, I have started to say "no." It's really a new concept for me, I never tell people no. Not ever. But when someone approached me about new responsibilities with a volunteer organization, I said no. I am busy enough with my family and work, and I am now learning to do fewer things, but doing them each better!
It was all about how the cool response to "how are you doing" these days is... "oh, well we're really busy." Like being busy is a status symbol of how important we are. But what we really want, or what the Bible tells us we should want, is a life of intentionality. Living life with an intention. One of the best quotes from that message was "never let the urgent get in the way of the important." Wow! How often have I put something important aside because something less important but more urgent was placed in front of me.
With that said, I have started to say "no." It's really a new concept for me, I never tell people no. Not ever. But when someone approached me about new responsibilities with a volunteer organization, I said no. I am busy enough with my family and work, and I am now learning to do fewer things, but doing them each better!
Can you tell how refreshed and renewed I feel? Well, I am so thankful for that feeling!
101. Refreshment. That one word seems to sum how I really feel lately, and man it feels good!
102. A New Purpose. We are going to focus on living with a purpose. Like Pastor Chris said, living with intentionality. We are still narrowing this down, but I am so so thankful for the direction we are headed.
103. Date Night. One aspect of living with intentionality is to think of ONE thing (not a list of 500 things- but one thing) that will enrich your life or your family's life. And we have decided on date night. We believe in this special set aside time, God is going to show up and really strengthen our marriage and our family.
104. Sleeping Late. If you know me, you know how much I love sleep. And the past few Sundays I have been able to sleep late, either by Claire sleeping late or Luke getting up with her! And that brings me to...
105. Sunday NIGHT Church. It's like two Saturdays when you don't have to get up ready early Sunday morning for church. You have a lazy day, still grill out for lunch while it's nice outside, and then when Claire gets up from her afternoon nap, we head to church for 6:00pm. So nice!
Show some link up love!
101. Refreshment. That one word seems to sum how I really feel lately, and man it feels good!
102. A New Purpose. We are going to focus on living with a purpose. Like Pastor Chris said, living with intentionality. We are still narrowing this down, but I am so so thankful for the direction we are headed.
103. Date Night. One aspect of living with intentionality is to think of ONE thing (not a list of 500 things- but one thing) that will enrich your life or your family's life. And we have decided on date night. We believe in this special set aside time, God is going to show up and really strengthen our marriage and our family.
104. Sleeping Late. If you know me, you know how much I love sleep. And the past few Sundays I have been able to sleep late, either by Claire sleeping late or Luke getting up with her! And that brings me to...
105. Sunday NIGHT Church. It's like two Saturdays when you don't have to get up ready early Sunday morning for church. You have a lazy day, still grill out for lunch while it's nice outside, and then when Claire gets up from her afternoon nap, we head to church for 6:00pm. So nice!
Show some link up love!
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
The Party
The party was amazing, but we are all exhausted! We all took nice long naps yesterday in an attempt to recover. The house is still in shambles, the floor covered in wrapping paper and cupcake crumbles smashed in the run. All the serving platters are under the dining room table, which is where I put them for Cooper to clean since we literally ate.every.thing. The balloons have deflated and bounce along the floor with little movement when someone walks by.
The party is over. And the second year begins. But here are some highlights!
(And if you couldn't already tell, I typed this up last Monday- over a week ago- and am just now getting around to posting it! Ah, such is life!)
The party is over. And the second year begins. But here are some highlights!
(And if you couldn't already tell, I typed this up last Monday- over a week ago- and am just now getting around to posting it! Ah, such is life!)
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Thankful on a Thursday: Birthday Edition
So here it is! My turn to tell you why I am so thankful for birthday parties! And oh is there so much to be thankful for!
96. Presents. Of course, the best part of every party is presents, right? No, it's family and friends? Well, not for Claire bear. She loved tearing into the presents and may have consumed a few peices of tissue paper. She got so much "baby learning" stuff, I'm convinced I'm raising the next Einstein. But with much better hair!
97. Family and Friends. See I did include them, just not above presents. We had a great time with my parents, Jay & Grace came in town as did Luke's family. But Claire has a special place in her heart for Pop!
98. Birthday Banners. That are not coming down for a while. We hung it weekend before last and it's still up. I like to refer to it as "birthday month" but her daddy doesn't agree.
99. Ladybug Lollipops. These consumed my life for an entire weekend, and Luke thought we would have enough lolipops for the whole neighborhood, but they were a big hit! Not easy, but totally worth it!
100. The fact that she won't remember. Why, you ask, am I thankful that she won't remember her party? Because, I forgot to let her smash her cake! I know, terrible mother, I admit it. But tonight we are putting her ladybug outfit back on and smashing some cake. Hopefully the pictures are as cute as I picture it in head!
And don't forget to link up with us! Happy Thursday!
Monday, October 11, 2010
One Year
No way my baby is a year old. No way, Jose. But then again, I have learned that no matter how many times I say this to myself and others, Claire is still one year old today.
I am posting soon about how wonderful the party was, and how much fun we all had, but today is all about her. Her piercing blue eyes, that sweet smile, and the way she says "mama" that makes me want to call in sick to work every.single.day.
Yes, my baby is one. I made it through a whole year of motherhood, and my child is still alive. For all of those nights that seemed to drag on until she finally started sleeping through the night at SEVEN months, I take it back. The rest of it went by so fast! She went from a little baby to a toddler...
Things she loves:
* We learned from this party that the kid loves icing. And loves getting icing all over herself.
* My mom tried getting her to drink from a water bottle and now she wants to do nothing else. We may be rid of sippy cups before we really ever got started.
* Playing in her new sandbox (but she's not a big fan of sharing her new sandbox toys)
* Riding in the new Ride Along Buggy that Grandmomma and Grandbarry gave her for her birthday. (And Luke has vowed to take her on nightly walks up and down the street now that the weather is so nice.)
Things she is amazing me with:
* The way she holds her arms up for me to pick her up
* How she can smile even when I had to wake her up early this morning.
* The fact that she is wearing 10 month clothes (Well, really this doesn't amaze me, it just reminds me that she is half Luke.)
Party fun to come soon... When I wake up from this walking sleep that is the result of aforementioned party!
I am posting soon about how wonderful the party was, and how much fun we all had, but today is all about her. Her piercing blue eyes, that sweet smile, and the way she says "mama" that makes me want to call in sick to work every.single.day.
Yes, my baby is one. I made it through a whole year of motherhood, and my child is still alive. For all of those nights that seemed to drag on until she finally started sleeping through the night at SEVEN months, I take it back. The rest of it went by so fast! She went from a little baby to a toddler...
Things she loves:
* We learned from this party that the kid loves icing. And loves getting icing all over herself.
* My mom tried getting her to drink from a water bottle and now she wants to do nothing else. We may be rid of sippy cups before we really ever got started.
* Playing in her new sandbox (but she's not a big fan of sharing her new sandbox toys)
* Riding in the new Ride Along Buggy that Grandmomma and Grandbarry gave her for her birthday. (And Luke has vowed to take her on nightly walks up and down the street now that the weather is so nice.)
Things she is amazing me with:
* The way she holds her arms up for me to pick her up
* How she can smile even when I had to wake her up early this morning.
* The fact that she is wearing 10 month clothes (Well, really this doesn't amaze me, it just reminds me that she is half Luke.)
Party fun to come soon... When I wake up from this walking sleep that is the result of aforementioned party!
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