Wednesday, September 30, 2009

A change would do me good....




So I'm not a fan of self portraits, but I think this hair cut has given me a little bit of confidence to be down right silly.  Oh and yes, I did get my hair cut and straighten.  It is soo Nice and Easy...Squeezy Breezy!
It was time for a change.  Not just the hair. But me as a whole.
The first thing I changed was my physical activity.
I got a membership at the Y, and started taking bodyshop classes.  I'm also taking Kickboxing and starting next week...ZUMBA.  Nothing screams get in shape like knowing that your sister is having a summer wedding which means cute dresses!  I'll be honest, health has nothing to do with this motivation.  I want to be sexy.  I want to be confident.  I want to wear the cute stuff my friends are wearing.  Now, I promise, this blog wont turn into a "Help me I'm losing weight" site.  Kudos to those who do that.  But I just cant.  I know why I'm overweight.  Its because I put the spoon past the lips and it all traveled to the hips.  The other thing I am working on is my anger.  Wow, I have a lot of it.  I'm not really sure where it all stems from.  OK, now that's not right... it stems from me, because I choose to be angry.  For those who don't know, I am homeschooling my 2 girls this year.  I don't like it.  I, in fact, hate it.  You know why?  Because it is taking MY time.  Because its enormous pressure to feel like you have to defend yourself all the time, or just because, well, you stand out.
Well, as I told a friend of mine today, I have anger, but God has grace.  Alot of it...Overflowing.  I don't know how God speaks to you, but God does this "slap me upside the head" kind of communication with me.  You know how Oprah has AHA moments..well I have DUH moments from God.  Now, He doesn't tell me "duh, you idiot, you should do this."  Its a revelation from him, followed by me saying..."OHHH thats what you meant".  Let me share with you how he revealed why I am doing homeschooling.
I was sitting with my girls and they were working on spelling.  Now, my oldest has no problem with spelling, to be honest, school comes very easy for her.  But my youngest.  Oh, my youngest struggles. Its not intellectually struggle, its a confidence struggle.  She is so afraid to embarrass herself, that she doesn't want to say anything at all, in fact, if there is any reason to make her think she has done something wrong, well, she checks out.  It usually ends bad for both of us, because I'm telling her..." its just us, just do it." and she clams up even more.  I don't know if I just had more patience today, or if someone was praying(maybe one in the same) but I spent more one on one time with the girls.  When I got to Casi, I spent more time with hers spelling words and showing her how to really commit the words to memory.  We did our practice verbal test, and she remembered all of them. Then we did a practice written test. Usually she misses most, if not all the words.  But she missed only one out of 10 and her face lit up.  I mean, its like the missing link had finally been found. And then God slapped me upside of my head.  "That's why you are homeschooling.  She is finally feeling smart".  Wow.  Who likes to be the dumb kid?  I was the dumb kid at school. Afraid of having the wrong answer.  Afraid that everyone would make fun of me.  Not fun.  Not fun at all.
If homeschooling brings that glimmer of hope in my baby's eyes like it did today, then I'm ok with using my time for her.  She's worth it.

Monday, September 28, 2009

Become a fan

of Walgreen's, and get a free 5x7 Picture book
(you have to pay for shipping).  
Sounds like a deal to me...

Become a fan on Facebook by 
October 2nd,
Walgreen's will send out how to get your free books.
Easy breezy!

Thanks to Krazy Coupon Lady for sharing...

Sunday, September 27, 2009

My Frappalicious Friends...

 PSSST!!! Hey YOU!
Yea, YOU!
Come closer!!!!!
cloooser...
Just a little bit closer...
ok, are you ready for this????

mocha-coco-frappuccino_0preview
Show your friend you care by nominating a friend on the Starbucks You Deserve A Frappuccino website and get a Free Starbucks Frappuccino! And you can nominate as many friends as you like:)
Thanks for sharing, Sisterly Savings...

HHMMMMM...who will I nominate....Who needs a frap real bad....

Let me know why you deserve a Frap and Ill send a nod your way...
If you have a blog, let me know...
I'll let my 9 other followers know about it...LOL! 
Inside joke...but I seriously wanna know about your blingy blog.

Happy Sunday my blog homeys..Peace out.

Friday, September 25, 2009

FAB FIVE FRIDAYS

Fridays are my favorite day of the week.
It is the beginning of the weekend and
I love weekends...


So here are  5 FAB things we are doing this weekend.
1.SLEEPING IN...who doesn't like that!?
2.BOTH OF MY SISTERS ARE COMING INTO TOWN...I LOVE HANGING WITH MY BFFS!
3.PURDUE VS NOTRE DAME...Down with the Irish...i never liked those creepy little green guys anyway.
4.MEETING WITH MY FRIEND WHO IS BUSINESS SAVVY TO START ORGANIZING THE FOTOBIZ.
5.I DON'T HAVE TO WORK THIS WEEKEND..YAY!

Soooo,  what are your five fabs that you are doing for the weekend...

Monday, September 21, 2009

Mad Monday

Hey Bloggy Bloggersons!
Hope you had a wonderfully weary weekend like we did.
Like every other weekend, it has flown by way to quickly. The past week, our home was filled with 3 more kids !!!
I took our friends' kids while they went to a retreat. My kids were on cloud nine that their lil buds were spending the night 4 nights in a row! I think they had fun. Having 5 kids really wasn't as crazy as I thought it was going to be.
Here are some pics from the last day they were at the house...


Now its another Manic Monday Madness, only to find me caring for 2 very sick kids.
Here's to hopefully a healthier Tuesday!

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Isn't she lovely...


Isn't she lovely
Isn't she wonderful
Isn't she precious
Less than one minute old
I never thought through love we'd be
Making one as lovely as she
But isn't she lovely made from love
...Stevie Wonder


My beautiful girl is turning 8. I can't believe the years has gone by so quickly...
Love you boo boo, you make momma proud!

Saturday, September 12, 2009

All Things New


What a week I have had. We had our first day of homeschooling, only to get a phone call letting me know that my adoptive father was heading to the ER. He had surgery on Thurs. to repair a heart condition. All is well, but life as he knew it, no longer exists. Amazing how our life changes in a matter of moments. I guess that's what everyone means by treasuring each day.
But, my week ended celebrating a new life.
My friends, Bryan and Lee Ann welcomed their baby bo...ahem, I mean baby girl(inside joke) .

It's just what the doctor ordered! My spirits were so down, and I was tired with everything we were going through. I guess as the oldest, I take it upon myself to make sure everybody is well taken care of. By Friday, I was preparing for a meltdown.
I was anxiously checking Facebook every 20 minutes to see if the baby announcement was posted. Then the phone rang and it was Bryan. My heart was leaping as the proud father announced her name. Yes, this is what I needed to hear. There are so many people near and far that are hurting. The sign of new life is like the first blooms of spring. Hope is still alive. All things new again. I needed the reminder.
Do you?

Friday, September 11, 2009

I have a signature!




Nothing special, but it adds a little love to my blog.

Plus, I had nothing else to do while I was sitting in the waiting room for 8 hours.

Sunday, September 6, 2009

11



ELEVEN YEARS and still going strong...Yeah Baby

Saturday, September 5, 2009

Signs


Its coming.

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Something Wonderful


Hi Mom,
Well, it's another day at the house. I thought I would just write you a little note letting you know how we're doing. Your grandgirls are getting so big. Cambria always ask about you. She can't wait to meet you one day. She has a lot of your qualities. When we have our mommy and Cambria dates, I'm always reminded of the fun trips we used to take. Do you remember that bike ride we took in the rain? We looked like possessed drowned rats, with mascara running down our faces. We got laughing so hard, we could hardly stay on the bikes!
Mom, you would just adore Casi. She has spunk and a little attitude that only a mother would love. Casi doesn't understand why we can't see you. She thinks grandmas should be around forever. Me too.
Rob is doing well. I wish you could see how talented he is. His most greatest talent is the man is striving to be. He is a man after God's own heart, just as you told me you were praying for your daughter's. He is an amazing husband. I can't believe how blessed I am to have him. Being a father is also one of his greatest gifts. Mom, you should see him with the girls. It's a love every father and daughter should have.

Well, we are heading out to run some errands. I just wanted to tell you momma how much I desperately miss and love you. My heart aches when I can't talk to you. I know it's been 18 years today, but it still hurts. But you gave me something wonderful, mom. You gave me the best part of you. The part of you that gives me the ability to stand strong and even through the hurt, to find my strength. My strength is inspired by you. As you stared death in the eye, you still proclaimed that you found victory in Jesus. You reminded me that with my faith, we are no longer victims, but VICTORS.

You also gave me 2 people that will always have one thing in common...we have a part of you with us always. They are without a doubt the greatest gift you ever gave me. You once reminded me, that they would the closest friends I would ever have. You were right. I don't know what I would do without Shelly and Marci.

I love you mom. I celebrate your life. I rejoice in your new home. Give my sweet babies a hug for me.

Ill see you some day on the other side.
mis