Sweet Kisses and the infamous Refrigerator Kiss

No, it isn't my anniversary or my husband's birthday or anything - but today I want to dedicate my blog to my wonderful husband and his sweet kisses.

The last few days I haven't been a very happy camper - and yet he has stayed with me through it all. Sure, we argue and fuss a little (okay, sometimes a LOT) but at the end of the day, we know we love each other.

When Hunkahubby and I got together almost seven years ago - it was very dramatic. (You have no idea how dramatic . . . )

I still remember the first time he kissed me. We call it the 'refrigerator' kiss. And no - we didn't kiss the refrigerator, although sometimes I want to - especially when I'm dieting and I can't get into it!!

The kitchen was dark and he was looking in his refrigerator to get something out. All of a sudden he whipped around, pulled me in his arms and KISSED me . . . thoroughly. I stopped breathing, my toes curled, and the world as I knew it ceased to exist.



The wonderful thing is - I still feel those things when he kisses me, all this time later. It isn't even one iota less exciting. He still makes my toes curl.



So today, cherish the ones you love and grab your special someone and give them sweet kisses.

If you don't have that special someone . . . don't push it . . . sometimes love finds you in the most unexpected places . . . maybe even in the refrigerator.

I love you honey. I love your sweet kisses. And I'm thankful to a God who allows us to have a love like ours.

Learning to trust . . .

("Crowning Glory" photo by IzzyBeth, Costa Rica)

Have you ever had one of those days where you feel like nothing is going right? You feel like no matter how hard you try - you still don't measure up? And then the smallest things start to bother you?

Today has been one of those days for me. I'm stressed about some unknown situations in my life and I am worried about what is going to happen next. I hate that feeling.

And after having my own mini-meltdown - sitting on the floor crying asking God "What am I doing wrong? I've been reading my Bible every day, trying to be a good wife and mother . . . and jumping into those roles more than I ever have . . . what am I doing wrong?"

Well - just as I thought that - this popped into my head . . .

"You're not trusting Me."

Wow. Ouch. And all that stuff.

And I wasn't. I wasn't trusting God. If I am doing all I can do to be the best person I can be, then I have to learn to trust God to take care of me. That is hard. I've always had an emotional caretaker type role. And then when you work in an administrative assistant role - you become somewhat of a caretaker for everyone you work for. At the end of the day - you don't have enough emotional energy to do what needs to be done to take care of yourself and sometimes even your family.

So I've just added a new resolution to my list.

Learn to trust.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV) says, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."

Matthew 6:27-34 (The Message) says:

"Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? All this time and money wasted on fashion—do you think it makes that much difference? Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them.

If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.

Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes."

I'm trying . . .

Resolution update . . .

Just thought I'd post an update on how I'm doing SO FAR . . .

My New Year's Resolutions for 2008:
1. Update my blog every day (at the least, 2x per week).

I've been trying very hard to update every day and haven't missed yet, although last night's post barely made it under the wire . . .

2. Lose 50 pounds. (lost about 4 pounds so far)

Just getting away from all those holiday treats is a big help!

3. Exercise at least 3x per week. No excuses. (need to start this!!)

I have a gym membership - but why is it that I want to get in a little better shape before I even GO there? I don't want people to see me.

4. Find things to inspire me and then let the inspiration run wild.

My kids and my husband inspire me every day - but I haven't been able to RUN WILD with it yet. Except for this blog.

5. Try out at least one new recipe per month.

Thanks to my new favorite blog, The Confessions of a Pioneer Woman, and her recipe site, The Pioneer Woman Cooks - I've already tried out one recipe and am baking the other one today.

6. Re-learn to sew.

Give me a break - I couldn't do EVERYTHING in one week.

7. Teach an online class if possible.

I have a couple people I'm in contact with to work on this one.

8. Spend more time with my kids.

Ever since I completed my Masters, this has been an easier one. I am so glad about that!

9. Have a date night at least once per month with my hubby.

The month isn't over yet!!!

10. Read more books. Especially my Bible.

I am working on the Read the Bible in a year program and reading every day. I'm learning a lot of interesting things.

I am also reading Frank Peretti's The Visitation. I love his books and haven't read one in a while. So far - this one is a great read.

11. Take more pictures - and learn how to do it correctly.



Obviously I've been taking more pictures - but I haven't got the hang of everything yet. My camera has a "sports" setting and also a setting where you can take several pictures in a row. I've been trying to combine them to get some good action shots - but I have not mastered it just yet . . .



12. Sing more, yell less.

I can say I've been singing more - but I still need to cut down on my yelling.

13. Keep my resolutions all year long . . .

So far . . . not too bad . . .

How are you doing on your new year's resolutions???

Karma

In my earlier post about our five furry 'children', I mentioned a cat that is no longer with us. She was such a good kitty and she had a few funny stories. Her name was Karma.

When Hunkahubby and I got married, he already had Britney, but I decided that Britney needed a buddy and that I needed a kitty to call my own. We went to the local no-kill animal shelter in search of a calico kitten. As fate would have it, there were no calicos that day - but we kept looking anyway.

When we got to a certain cage, there were two kittens inside and this one interesting-looking cat kept pushing up against the cage door wanting us to get her out. We asked the shelter worker to open the cage, and as soon as she did, this cat jumped onto my shoulder - purring so loud I could hardly hear anything else. She then looked over to Hunkahubby, jumped to his shoulder and then jumped back to mine.

Well - that was easy - we knew she was the one meant for us. She was named Karma and the name seemed to fit - so we didn't change it. After the 3 day waiting period, we were able to bring her home.

Karma was a tortoise-shell or 'torti'. We found out that shelters have a hard time adopting out these cats, because a lot of people think they are ugly. I thought she was beautiful. She was very loving and attentive - which often is NOT the case with cats.

We brought Karma home to meet Britney and Britney was NOT happy. But we figured she'd get over it eventually.

One of the things Karma did that we always laughed at was crawl up under the covers on the bed and sleep. This almost became a fatal choice for her! We came home a few days after bringing her home and couldn't find Karma anywhere. We lived in a VERY small 2-room apartment and we knew she couldn't have gotten far.

I looked at Britney and said, "What did you do with Karma?" A few minutes later, Britney got up off the bed where she was laying. Underneath where Britney had been sleeping was a lump - Karma had crawled up under the covers to sleep and Britney had decided to lay on top of her!!! I don't know if it was intentional or what - but we've always laughed about Britney trying to off Karma by smothering her.

Eventually - Karma and Britney learned to get along and were quite content to be in each other's company, especially when more kitties were introduced into the household. They learned to stick together.



Unfortunately - pets don't live forever, and sometimes they have to go before it is their time. Karma got trapped in the laundry room one day and and something heavy fell on top of her - I got home in time to pet her and she looked up at me and meowed several times. We then rushed her to the vet, but I'm sure she was gone before we got there. It was very tragic. This was the first death of a pet that the kids had to experience - but I think my husband and I were worse than the kids were.

Karma was a neat cat. She liked to sleep on our pillow at night and "knead doughballs." She made chirping noises and always talked to us. She knew that the other cats didn't like her as much, and she didn't care - she seemed happy with who she was.

I truly believe that pets are here to teach us things - so here is what I learned from Karma:

1. Be yourself - don't worry about what others think.
2. Even if you look different, you are still beautiful.
3. If you find someone to love you, hold on to them tight and love them with everything that is in you - because we never know what may happen tomorrow.

I'm sure I will have other Karma stories to post - but for tonight, I just want to remember what a great cat she was and think about her curled up under a big heavenly blanket dreaming great kitty dreams.

Daddy, Jesus, and Dinosaurs

My son got this cheap little toy voice recorder in his stocking at Christmas. You press record, talk into the device, and then play it back. It has little buttons where you can bend the pitch of the playback to make it sound like a monster, a chipmunk, or somewhere in between . . .

Tonight, while I was fixing supper - I hear him laugh hysterically and then come running down the stairs. He said, "Mommy, listen to this!" He hits play on the toy and a very high pitched version of my son's voice says, "Daddy, Jesus, and Dinosaurs". He cracks up laughing again.

I guess those are the 3 things most important to my middle child and only son . . . and I was too busy laughing to ponder the fact that I wasn't on that list.

And . . . while searching for an appropriate picture for this post - I found this. How funny. Interesting concept. Weird that I found it with what I searched for. (I Googled Daddy, Jesus, Dinosaurs.) Of course now I suppose my husband is going to use the "What Would Jesus Do?" argument to convince me he needs a motorcycle . . .

It has begun . . .

This afternoon, the phone rang. I answered it and almost told the person on the other end that they had the wrong number. Then I realized they were asking for my oldest daughter. She was so excited when I told her the phone was for her!

It was her friend from school who lives down the street. She was calling to ask if my daughter could spend the night. She was so excited about it - there is no way I could have said NO. However, I'm nervous because other than Ruth and family members, my daughter has never spent the night away from home in a strange house.

Halfway through the phone call, my daughter said in the sweetest voice to her friend, "thank you so much for asking me to come to your house." Of course, I cried. I think she will be just fine tonight.

Her Daddy and I looked at each other though and cringed -
because with that one phone call . . . .




It had begun . . .

Life (and phone bills) as we know it, will never be the same.

Reading the Bible in a Year

One of my New Year's resolutions is to read more books - especially the Bible. I know several people who have done the 'read the Bible in a year' program and decided to try it myself. I was unaware that the program is available online, so once I found it, I thought I would share it with all of you.

If you go to this link - it will show you the chapters to read each day (they say its about 15 minutes per day . . . unless you're like me . . . because I have a Quest Bible and I like to read all the notes and commentary.)

However, if you don't have a Bible - or one that you can easily understand - this website also makes it easy for you to read the Bible translation of your choice ONLINE, courtesy of Biblegateway.com.

This program does not have you read the Bible chronologically - for example, on January 1st - you read a couple chapters each from Genesis, Matthew, Psalms, and Proverbs. I really like it.

Even though we're already a few days into the year - I think it would be pretty easy to catch up if you'd like to go on this journey with me!!

Have a great day!

Snow Snow Look at the Snow

We actually got some snow in the past couple of days. I was really bummed that we didn't have a white Christmas. We had a pretty good snowstorm the week before Christmas, which promptly melted away. Then we got a light sprinkling for the past couple of days and now it is REALLY COLD. The problem with Indiana is that it is very hard to predict the weather from one day to the next.



One day, you may need to wear boots, long underwear, two sweaters, a coat, hat, scarf and mittens - and the next day, you could get away with wearing shorts. It's nuts - but something we've pretty much gotten used to. The bigger issue is - the constant change in weather, temperature, humidity, etc. means constantly fighting off colds. That part - not so fun.

I went out and took some pictures of our backyard covered in a light sprinkling of snow.





From these pictures - you might think I have a pretty large country backyard . . . well . . . you can go right on thinking that, but it is not true. :-) My husband is just really good at doing the best he can with what he has been given. We actually walk out our back door, walk about 10 feet (if that) and we're in our neighbor's house. That is the one thing that makes me a little bit sad. I grew up with a HUGE yard - plus my Grandparents lived around the corner and all the land on that corner was theirs. I could walk to their house on the road, or walk to their house through the woods behind our house. I had lots of outdoor adventures when I was little - and there is a part of me that feels like my kids are getting cheated out of that.

Perhaps someday - we'll have a big yard again . . . but for now, I'll just look at these pictures and pretend.

Thanks honey for giving me that option. And thanks God for the snow, whether on Christmas or not . . . it is still beautiful.

Cat People

Well, since I still haven't found a way to make myself comfortable with posting pictures of my children on a public blog - I get to torture other people . . . and my cats.

My husband already had a cat, Britney, when we got married. Then as time went on, I kept convincing him we needed more. We now have 5 cats and 5 people in our house. We've tried dogs - several times, and one of these days, I'll tell you about that. We love all kinds of animals - but for now, we are solely cat people, and that is okay.

Since I got my new camera, that actually TAKES the picture when I push the button - I have been having a lot of fun trying to take pictures of the cats with funny looks on their faces (even going as far as dabbing food on their nose so they have to try and lick it off.)

So here is our little cat family . . .

This is Britney, whom Hunkahubby found as a tiny kitten in a snowstorm, several years before we were married. She isn't so tiny now . . .

Her nickname is MOOSE. But I did get a nice shot of her licking her chops yesterday . . .
Next we had a Kitty named Karma . . . but she is no longer with us. I promise to tell you her story one of these days. (If I hold to my resolution of posting every day - I'll be running out of stories!)

I've always loved Calico cats. And when my friend Kara, who lived on her parent's farm at the time, was overrun with cats - and ended up with a new Calico kittten . . . I offered to take her off of her hands. ;-) She was named California, but we have always called her Cali.Yes, she's a ball. Not so tiny anymore. We call her Mini MOO.

Next we have Rufus. My baby. You can read more about him here. He was my 30th birthday present, and I think he thinks I'm his Mommy. He's also part human - as every time I went to take his picture, he would pose very regally for me.
Then there is Max. Max is definitely my Hunkahubby's cat. I kept saying we NEEDED a new cat and where I worked had an online classified posting system. A lady who works there fosters cats until she can find them a home. She had posted an ADORABLE picture of a buff colored kitten . . . and when I showed it to Hunkahubby - he was SUNK. So we went to meet the kitty and ended up bringing him home. He has been Hunkahubby's shadow ever since. When he isn't here, and I am, I have to listen to this pitiful cat walking around the house making this mournful meowing sound. So - Max gets two pictures today as well . . . . because I'm doing what I said I would - and taking more pictures.




The picture on the left is Hunkahubby's view of Max - the picture on the right is Max's view of his Daddy. Hee hee, I love my new camera.




And finally - we have the bane of all the other cats' existences . . . Gracie. The youngest is always the most hated by others, isn't that right? Because I knew this was my LAST CAT for a long while - we had to make it a doozy.

When I was in high school - we had a cat named George. He was a long haired kitten, very playful and sweet. He almost died of distemper and I remember sitting up with him in my lap all night until Dad could take him to the vet the next day. He made it through but had a respiratory problem that made him sneezy for the rest of his life. My Dad adored this cat and even though he was "technically" an outdoor cat - Dad used to let him inside all the time.

I wanted a long-haired cat like George . . . and so Hunkahubby found Gracie for me. (Get it? George and Gracie??)
She is still a kitten, and VERY rambunctious - but the nights when she hops on our bed and buts up against my arm, purring to beat the band - she is SO forgiven for climbing the Christmas tree and scattering ornaments everywhere.

Seriously - how could you stay mad at this??? -->

So, there you have it folks - the reasons we are, at this point in life, solely cat people. The coming days will most surely have more entertaining stories and pictures of our five furry children.

Day One of 2008

Starting the year off with a bang - I'm updating my blog. Yay.

Last night, our small group (minus Don & Karen) got together to play games and ring in the new year together.


We had a blast laughing and picking on each other - and eating WAY too much food. (Ruth is showing us how tired she is after making ALL THAT FOOD . . . now ask her how much of it she actually made . . .)



We were all hoping that Christopher and Jennifer were going to get that tax deduction for 2007 - but alas, it was not to be. The little girl was not ready for all the hype and paparazzi that might come with being the New Year's Baby.




And speaking of babies . . . here is one gratuitous Baby Gracie picture showing how tired she was from all the partying.



Happy New Year Everyone!!

Take More Pictures

Here is proof that I'm already doing what I can to meet my New Year's Resolutions . . .

I finally got a camera that takes the shot when I want it too.
Here is Gracie licking her nose.

Grandma making homemade Chicken and Dumplings for Christmas.

Dad opening presents and showing his great fashion sense.

Hunkahubby with his new Kiss cologne.
(Yes, that band with the guys in makeup. ha ha)

Christmas morning after Santa had been to our house.

The kitties were visited by Santa Paws.

"I ain't got no body." - Max

What's your New Year's Resolution?

I think my New Year's Resolution will be to actually try and KEEP my New Year's Resolutions. :-) Every year, we all get all hyped up in January about the new things we are going to do to better ourselves and by February we've all fallen back into the same old rut. I am really praying for 2008 to be different for me.

I accomplished a lot this year and due to some things finally being completed - I should be able to focus and actually complete some new things in 2008.

My New Year's Resolutions for 2008:
1. Update my blog every day (at the least, 2x per week). [gotta give myself an out]
2. Lose 50 pounds. For my health and my own well-being.
3. Exercise at least 3x per week. No excuses.
4. Find things to inspire me and then let the inspiration run wild.
5. Try out at least one new recipe per month.
6. Re-learn to sew. Yes, I'm turning into a happy homewrecker.
7. Teach an online class if possible.
8. Spend more time with my kids.
9. Have a date night at least once per month with my hubby.
10. Read more books. Especially my Bible.
11. Take more pictures - and learn how to do it correctly (I got a new camera.)
12. Sing more, yell less.
13. Keep my resolutions all year long . . .

Well, with that list, I'm bound to make it on a few of them, right??

I hope all of you had a Merry Christmas and have a wonderful New Year.

What are your resolutions???

The catch up Blog

Okay - so I've been bad about updating . . . again.

I have to say that being done with school is a really big relief (until I start getting those bills . . .). I feel like I have a lot more time to be creative. I've been baking a lot and doing crafty things with the kids.

The 13th was my birthday and I spent it with my hubby and kids. Hunkahubby made me a chocolate cake with caramel icing (Grandma's recipe). It was yummy. They also got me lots of cool gifts - one of which, I have to share with you here . . .



Yes - I got a Cabbage Patch Kid. But not just any Cabbage Patch Kid. A special edition that also has a CARE BEAR inside. Yes - I admit that I am a child of the 80s and I was very excited when I opened this present. :-) It's staying in the box.

My honey also made me one of my favorite meals - steak with cheese and mushrooms and MASHED TATERS. Woohoo!!! I got to have lima beans too which was a big sacrifice, because he doesn't like them and I do. I have a wonderful husband.

My kids and I also made Christmas cookies the other night. It was a lot of fun and I finally learned to step back after giving them icing instructions and just let them create - they did a surprisingly good job. Here is some of their "work":



They had a blast. We already saved 3 cookies for Santa. :-)

Today my Dad and brother and families are coming to our house for Christmas. We have never had Christmas at our house and I am excited. I will post some pictures later. We got my Dad a rather large gift - and I actually wrapped it. Should be a fun day.

I'll end this post with this quote:

"If you ever start feeling like you have the goofiest, craziest, most dysfunctional family in the world, all you have to do is go to a state fair. Because five minutes at the fair, you'll be going, 'you know, we're alright. We are dang near royalty.'"

-Jeff Foxworthy

I love our friends!!

Tonight was our small group Christmas get together. We had such a great time. I promised to put up pictures of Don, Karen, and Christopher - so that is what I will do.

We had a ton of snacky food (including way too much sugar, several of us love to bake.) We had devotion and prayer time - (Thanks, Don, YOU ROCK!) Then we had our "White Elephant" gift exchange. It wasn't as competitive as I thought it was going to be - but it was still fun.

The MOST WANTED gift was a singing/gobbling/walking Christmas Turkey.

Jennifer stole it and got to keep it. :-)

Here is a picture of Christopher (Jennifer's husband)

Here is Karen

And here is Don (Karen's hubby and our fearless "leader")

We had a great time and I know we are BLESSED that God brought this group of people together. We know that any of us would do whatever we could to help the others out. I am so thankful for each and every one of them.

And now a few more pictures . . .

Scott with Ronnie, Alex, and Baby Grace.

Baby Grace in full belly heaven.

Oh - and I forgot to mention that Ruth and Little Ronnie made me a birthday cake. This was a huge thing for me because Ruth DOES NOT like to cook, bake, etc. I was very touched that she took the time to do this for me. They put candles on the cake and sang to me and I was very appreciative. It was a wonderful thing to feel loved by such a great group of people.

Yes - tomorrow I will be 32 years old. And I'm okay with that.

Have a great evening everyone!!

Christmas Lights

Have I mentioned how much I love Christmas? Well, I already showed you the inside of our house. Now I want to show you what I WISH the outside of our house looked like.

I love Christmas Lights. When I was little, we used to drive around for hours looking at Christmas lights. Now, I make my kids suffer through it.

With all the computerized options these, days - people come up with some pretty cool things. So here is a list of the top ten computerized Christmas Displays and the beginning of a dream for my house at Christmas someday . . . (don't tell my husband, he's terrified I'll make him into a Griswald.)

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

I wanted to post some pictures of our house at Christmas. We love Christmas and my husband loves to decorate for Christmas, so I thought I'd share some pictures here.













In other news . . . I am DONE with my Masters Degree!! Finally!!! Now I have no excuse for not updating my blog, eh?