Welcome, Sis!

I'd like to welcome my sister, Aimee into the wonderful world of blog-land. She's trying to decide if this is her "thing" but none-the-less, if you have a moment, please stop by and give her a quick shout-out. She's the cute, trendy one in the family. Love ya, Sis!

Computer Love

Is it just me or is the word verification on the comments page getting more difficult to read? I often find myself nose-plowed up against my computer screen attempting to decipher the code. Anyone else with multiple face prints on their screen? I love my computer but this is getting ridiculous! My husband is beginning to feel jealous.

Plant Zinnias- Check!

I can now check off one of my "To Do" Earth Day projects. I planted my Zinnias today. I am trying something new. Instead of planting them directly outside (which in years past have had little luck with) I bought a Professional Greenhouse. Trust me, it's not as fancy as it sounds. It was $3.98+tax at Wal-Mart. It really looks like a Rubbermaid container with a lid. None-the-less, I should see sprouts of Pinwheel Zinnias in a matter of days, maybe weeks. My plan is to then transport them outside once they become hardy enough. Once fully bloomed, I will finally enjoy the cheery blossoms that will eventually adorn my breakfast table. If they don't turn out as planned, you probably won't read anymore about them.

I Know Who Holds Tomorrow

Last week, I received a phone call from a dear college friend. We caught up on the latest baby news and family events. I love those kinds of phone calls. She later informed me that one of her friends recently suffered a miscarriage. Knowing that my husband and I had experienced one, she was searching for certain words of comfort she might offer to her friend.

Talking with my friend, brought back certain emotions that I had experienced during that time of loss. Certain emotions that will dwell in me forever. Most times these emotions remain dormant, but come to surface when reminded of that particular season of my past.

Although it was a very difficult time for my husband and I, it was a time of challenge and growth. I will never understand the hows and whys of certain occurrences in life, however I do know that the Lord is always present. Since that time, I have had several opportunities to share my own story with others. I now understand that I can use my loss as a way to comfort others who might experience a similar one. Although I would never tell a person I know what they are going through, for we all deal with grief in various forms, however I can acknowledge their own feelings and emotions and be there as a listening ear.

On this Then Sings My Soul Saturday, how appropriate it would be to share a song that brought a since of peace and comfort to my life during that bleak Summer of 2006.

I Know Who Holds Tomorrow
By: Alison Krauss

I don't know about tomorrow

I just live from day to day.

I don't borrow from it's sunshine

For it's skies may turn to gray.

I don't worry o'er the future

For I know what Jesus said.

And today I'll walk beside Him

For He knows what lies ahead.

(chorus)

Many things about tomorrow

I don't seem to understand;

But I know who holds tomorrow

And I know who holds my hand.

Ev'ry step is getting brighter

As the golden stairs I climb.

Ev'ry burden's getting lighter

Ev'ry cloud is silver-lined.

There the sun is always shining

There no tear will dim the eye.

At the ending of the rainbow

Where the mountains touch the sky.

(chorus)
Many things about tomorrow

I don't seem to understand;

But I know who holds tomorrow

And I know who holds my hand.

Need A Doctor?

This confirms that there is too much violence on television. :)

Generation Wrinkled

I love starch. I love starch so much that I have enough words to create a post about it. There is something so satisfying about the crisp, clean creases it leaves on my husband's oxford button-down shirt sleeves. Some may call it an obsession, others may deem it necessary. Even my husband finds time to iron his own shirts. Yes, all women, read with envy. If time unables me to press his shirts, he takes the handle and drives. One of the countless, wonderful things about him. I love you, Honey!

I love to shop. Most of the shopping I am currently doing is magazine browsing. With a little one, it's too exhausting to drag him to a mall by myself and it usually disrupts his nap schedule. Besides, being a stay-at-home mommy, certain extracurricular activities are sacrificed due to this luxury. Clothes shopping being one. Budget=Mandatory. Surprisingly, I find myself very content with this.

One night, hubby was watching SportsCenter (can anyone else hear the annoying: duh duh duh...duh duh duh) and I was doing a little magazine browsing of my own. Imagine my astonishment when I witnessed the new Spring/Summer season from J.Crew. Lest you forget my affection for starch. Have our youth really become an iron-rebellious generation or has Mr. Crew gotten lazy? I know some material is linen, but what a little spray could do to help that out. Just request a catalog.

All you starchies out there, we must make a stand. Even you closet-starchies, here's your chance to ban together to help iron out this crinkled-chaos.

Continual Prayers for Katherine

Continue to keep Katherine in your prayers. As far as I know, she is still in a coma. Being the same age as Katherine, it has really struck me hard. My heart also aches for her 6 month old. Life is so fragile. We are never promised tomorrow.

A Call to Prayer for Katherine

My husband and I went to college with Katherine. She suddenly suffered a massive stroke and underwent critical brain surgery. The video below was made by her two sis-in-laws explaining the severity of her situation. For some reason the picture won't upload but just click in the box below to watch the video.

Earth Day 2008

Operation Chocolate Chip Cookie: Accomplished

Thanks again to all who sent in recipes for my Quest for Chocolate. After testing and tasting, here [in my humble opinion] was the best chocolate chip cookie recipe. The contributor was anonymous, so to whoever you are... Thank You. Trust me, the proof is in the pudge!

Ingredients:
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 stick butter (room temperature)
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 egg (room temperature)
1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Mix sugar, brown sugar and butter with fork until mixed together. Add vanilla and egg (yolk and 1/2 of egg white) until mixed slightly. Add flour, soda, and salt. Mix with hands until blended. Add chocolate chips, mix with hands. Break into 1 inch balls. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet for 8-10 minutes.

I enjoy my cookies a bit undercooked so 7 minutes is perfect for me. However, if your spouse is also concerned with contracting salmonella 9-10 minutes should be sufficient. The cookies will not be flat but will hold their round shape. Enjoy!

Calling All Poets

Calling all poets or money-stricken. I was visiting my friend and saw a chance to win $1000. Who couldn't use that kind of chump-change after tax season? If my luck is anything like my cavity, it's in the bag! With Mother's Day approaching, all you have to do is write a Haiku about your mother. That's it. Visit Rocks in My Dryer to enter. Deadline is TODAY so times-a-tickin. Good luck and may the poorest one win!

With Love

With love you raised me

Patience, Forgiveness, Laughter

With love you teach me

The Chocolate Cavity

Thank you to all who emailed and commented recipes. I have enough recipes to keep me cooking for a while. I've already experimented on some so I'll report back next week. I can't wait to share these with my sister.

After I posted my "Quest for Chocolate", I received a phone call from the dentist office. Can anyone foresee the irony?!? Because we just moved into the area, I put our name on the call list to be contacted if anyone cancelled an appointment. I made arrangements for someone to keep the baby, and I headed off to the dentist.

It may sound a little wacky, but I don't mind a visit to the dentist. Partly because rarely do I have any problems. I'm not one to need a lot of praise, but there is so much satisfaction in the validation I receive that my teeth look great. It's so easy to make that next 6 months appointment.

I walked into the office, signed my name a dozen times, and strolled back to the dentist chair. My x-rays needed to be updated so that was just one extra result to be proud of. Every time I was told to bite down, I couldn't help but wonder if my insurance would pay for that. She scraped and brushed and flossed while I swallowed and swooshed and rinsed. Standard procedure. Then it was the moment of truth. The Big Kahuna. The final say. He came in to examine the ending result.

Well...everything looks good...

I smiled

...except for this tiny cavity.

WHAT!?!? Did he say cavity? I don't get cavities. I'm exempt. Surely he had the wrong x-rays. I still wear my retainers at night...my retainers from high school. Did you hear that? High School. I brush my teeth at least twice a day. Okay, I admit. Maybe I don't floss like I should but flossing is probably overrated anyway. Cavity?!?

He showed me the x-ray. I nodded like I saw it, but really had no clue. Denial is a blinding emotion. I was crushed. My clean streak was broken. How was I ever going to smile again?

Trying to hold my head high, the receptionist booked my next appointment (yes booked. I could hear the slamming metal door behind me). Then she announced that I needed to make an additional appointment for my filling. Could she have spoken a little louder? I don't think the elderly couple in the waiting room quite understood. I might as well have written it across my forehead...I have a cavity. I felt like I was in that gum commercial...Dirty mouth? Clean it up with Orbitz gum...Fabulous! Only it wasn't fabulous...it was aweful. I left the office so down. I called my husband and gave the report. He just told me to go home and brush my teeth. I could have slugged him a good one.

With my bag of goodies from the dentist in hand, I did what any depressed, woman would do...I went home and baked a batch of warm, gooey, chocolate chip cookies. Let me tell you, if I have a cavity, I'm going to take advantage of it! Pass the milk, please!

A Quest for Chocolate

What a full week this will be. I have just a small time frame to squeeze in a quick post.

My sister and I are on a quest. A quest for the BEST chocolate chip cookie recipe. I'm not talking about the one on the back of the chocolate chip bag, I'm talking about granny's homemade secret recipe. With all that being said, if you have a delicious recipe for homemade chocolate chip cookies, PLEASE email it to me! What once began as a togetherness quest, has turned into a sisterly contest. I'm going to win this because I have a blog and she doesn't!

Bird Mayham!

I know I seem to be harping on this bird issue, but it has gone from bad to worse. Not only are the black birds swarming around like wild bangies, I believe they are the culprit of harming a red bird. I can only imagine in its attempt to escape from these black bullies, this little red bird knocked it's head into our window. Not only did it make a loud thump, but it was stunned it for about 5 minutes. In the top picture, you can see the dominating black birds mooching the feed. Also, look carefully in the distant tree. There sits a meek bird patiently waiting for them to leave. In the last picture, our dog was trying to make sense of the situation. It was all the red bird could do to regain its senses. What next?

Birds and Birds and Birds...Oh My!

My husband and I keep several bird feeders outside so that we can enjoy a part of God's creation when indoors. I need to get a bird book so I can identify the various types. On a typical day, they gracefully feast on the seedy-goodness that we provide for them. We have several beautiful red birds that have set up camp in our trees. Our baby loves to gaze outside while they flutter about the feeders. Free entertainment!

Until recently, its been enjoyable. We now have a problem. A bird problem. Now, not only do we have the faithful ole-comers, we have somehow attracted a new crowd of moochers. The black birds. Seemingly a bit ironic that these new comers are clothed in all black, but what's worse is that they are a tad on the aggressive side. Not only do they patronize the innocent red birds and finches, but gang up on them to get the feed. Just yesterday, a sweet little finch was forced from his breakfast by this band of black bandits. It's gotten to where even our dog doesn't enjoy the freedom of outdoors. With their loud shrieking squawks, the poor dog can't get a moments peace. I am one to faithfully pull for the underdog, so I'm just rooting for these little birds to gain union with one another and win back their territory! The other thing that leaves me a little concerned is the multitude of birds that are surrounding our house. Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating a bit but have you seen the movie The Birds? That chaos started with only a few. One can never assume anything. It could happen!

So, should I stop putting out feed and punish the innocent, faithful flock or do I continue to feed and pray for black bird migration? Either way, maybe we should consider beak-proofed glass windows...just in case!

My Mommy-Must-Haves

I had so much fun getting this post together. I have compiled a list of my top 11 (I tried to get an even 10 but just couldn't find one to eliminate) Mommy-Must-Haves to share with all you new mommies or ones with a little peanut on the way. Being a new mommy myself, in fact, makes me no expert of any kind, however, these particular items have made my life a bit more convenient and fun. I felt compelled to share these faves with you in hopes to spread the love. If you have any personal Mommy Must-Haves I'd love to hear about them. Or, if you decide to compile a list of your own, let me know!

1. Robeez. This brilliant invention really does stay on tiny feet! Man! I wish I was the one to patent those little babies!

2.The Diaper Backpack by Lands End. Marvelous for any outing: grocery store, church, Wal-Mart. The design is even non-threatening to our significant other. My color of choice was the Mint Green. When I went to link the site I couldn't find it. For the love of all that's good in this world, I hope they resell it before my next baby!

3. The Boppy. Wonderful pillow for nursing. Well...I'm still nursing but he's too big for the pillow. He'd be up at my neck if I used it now. Currently it's being used as a nap pillow for me. Multiple uses! My kind of bargain.

4. Baby Bjorn. I used this infant carrier for the times we flew out of town. Having a baby didn't slow down our travels and this carrier just made it that much more convenient. Again, this carrier was non-threatening for my oh, so, masculine hubby to wear.

5. The Bumbo Seat. I didn't believe this foamy piece of plastic could be worth the mullah, until I tried it. When he wasn't quite strong enough to sit up on his own but was gaining more control of his upper body, I'd let him play in it. He had the best time. I also purchased the Bumbo Tray that fits on top. With that, I'd stick some of his suction toys on the tray and he'd have a barrel of laughs. I also brought it along when I'd make a Target run. I'd place him in the seat in the large cavity of the buggy. No, it didn't leave much room for groceries but it sure did free up my arms. Oh, and any of you concerned about the Bumbo seat recall...here's a piece of advice...don't leave your child alone on the counter. Sheesh!

6. The Peanut Shell. I love, love, love this invention! Because he's too big for the Baby Bjorn, and too active to sit in the Bumbo Seat, this is what I am currently using. If I need to make a quick run into a store, not wanting the burden of pushing around a buggy, I stuff my little one in this and off we go! He loves the closeness and security that this gives him and it frees up my arms to "browse". For all you creative mommies, this could easily be duplicated with the aide of a sewing machine. I just didn't have the time nor will-power to make my own.

7. Bravado! Designs. As a nursing mother, I really struggled to find something that was comfortable and supportive. I will never wear anything else!

8. Melissa & Doug. These manufactured toys are wooden and non-toxic. Most of the toys serve an educated purpose. My favorites are the wooden puzzles. Built to last!

9. The Bailey Boys. This is one of my favorite clothing designers. The hidden surprise in some of their clothing is that some of the outfits are reversible. Two in one! I love it!

10. The Widgeon. A little on the pricey side, however, a great investment for anyone living in extremely cold weather. The Polartec Style is functional with Velcro closure and a string-tie hood. They serve as our Sunday coat. I couldn't find the original website for the Widgeon Coat but various children's boutiques sell them. This link was one of those boutiques.

11. Boudreaux's. Clears it right up!

The Power of Music

This past Sunday, our church did a Fifth Sunday Sing. Every fifth Sunday, our worship consists of a wide variety of music: voices, violins, flute, etc. Just having moved to this church, this was our first Fifth Sunday Sing Worship Service. There is something about music. If I compared how many Scripture verses I had memorized to the number of hymns I knew by heart, my inner collection of hymns would out number my Scripture knowledge. There is a special depth to music that can touch the inner part of our being. Music makes no discrimination against race, gender, or nationality. In a way, it connects us all.

Being a Pastor's Wife, it can only be assumed that I know every Contemporary Christian song on the radio. When in fact I don't. I do have to admit that my IPod is mostly controlled by 80's soft rock. Oh, that electric guitar just sings to me. It's not that I'm against Contemporary Christian music, it's just that my praise music selection is a little more traditional, like hymns. There is something so deep and reverent about hymns.

Any of you that have been to a Beth Moore Conference, are familiar with singer, Travis Cottrell. During one of her conferences, Travis sang a song entitled, "In Christ Alone". By the end of the song, I was so moved by the powerful words. Rare are the songs that move me to tears, yet this being one of them. My heart wells up with joy of the sacrifice Jesus made for me. "No power of hell, no scheme of man can ever pluck me from His hand." Dear Sisters in Christ, what a promise! I felt so moved to share this song with you today and I hope you find a blessing from it. If the song does not play once you press the center, click on the button: Pop-Out Player.

The Simple Things in Life

I know it's April Fools Day and as much as I love a good practical joke, I just couldn't think of one for my blog. Props to Wendy today. I love it! While browsing her site, I saw this video clip. I couldn't stop laughing. It reminded me of the scrolled out paper at the doctor's office. My son loves to crinkle and rip it. On this April Fools Day, maybe we can laugh together. I hope this makes you smile today.