Word Verifications

Does anyone else get tickled by these things? Stressed? Annoyed?

You know, you go to your friends blog and want to comment on their recipe, their babie's leg rolls or their new haircut and before you can leave your two cents, you have to type one of these un-natural combination of letters. I am usually pretty quick on the keyboard, but these things slow me down to the point where I am pecking at the keys like a chicken pecking corn. I am so afraid I am going to mess up the word and then I'll get a harder one with caps and numbers in it!

Well, I decided to "collect" these things a few weeks ago, jotting the good ones down when I came across them and I have come up with definitions for them. Because, I just can't compute meaningless words. I was a language major. They NEED to have meaning for my universe to continue spinning. I hope you find them humorous and are able to ingnore the scary peek into what makes me tick.

insiest- OK, I am pretty sure it's illegal and I prefer not to discuss this one further. This is a family blog. Ha! Family blog, ins- Oh, nevermind!

jouker-Duh! This is Batman's number one enemy in France.

anduc- as in anduc ancover

psinger- the vocalist in the pband

prolute- I am pretty sure it's bad for the environment

decones- you want to avoid hitting these with decars when you are driving near deconstructions

These were all fun, but I am stumped on the one I used for illustration above: chigog. Any ideas?

Flashback Friday is Back! (FBF 10: short hair)

I cannot believe how long it has been since I have posted an FBF! I am ashamed. I apologize. I promise to dig up more embarassing photos, wipe the dust from them and scan them soon. But for today, I am posting this for my friend Tracy who said she couldn't picture me with short hair and wanted to see a photo. Here you go, Tracy!

If you have known me for any real length of time, you know that I have never been one to shy away from a haircut. I pretty much left long hair behind when I went off to college and experimented, though pretty conservatively, with cuts and color for years. AND I happen to be married to a man who loves short hair...on him and me.

Right before I got pregnant with Aron I cut my hair the shortest it has ever been and kept it spiky and highlighted for a while. It helped that I had a phenomenal stylist who was also flexible with her schedule and resonably priced!

Here I am in January of 2004 with some gals I used to work with:

(I'm the one in the black sweater if you can't tell)

And here I am 6 months later in my sister's wedding:

Her wedding was in June, in TEXAS and I was 5 months pregnant. I was pretty darn happy to have short hair, let me tell you! Living in Las Vegas made short hair pretty appealing, too. I kept it that way right up until Aron was born:

But, after that, I let it slowly grow out. Mostly for budgetary reasons. I stopped working and didn't have the extra cash to spend on highlights and trims. And now that it is as long as it has ever been, I am torn. Of course, I am not even thinking about a short haircut until it gets a little warmer around here! I know a lot of people who have chopped off their lenght for Locks of Love and I am contemplating doing it, too. What do you think?

Flea Interviews Me

My blog-friend, Flea, did this on her blog last week and I thought it would be fun to play, too!

She emailed me 5 questions to answer in a post on my blog. I had no idea what she'd ask, but she's a pretty smart cookie so I knew they'd be good.

1. I just saw on your blog that you like Celine Dion. You even posted a photo of her in some crazy boots. Where can I get a pair of boots like that? And for real? Celine Dion? It's because the tickets were free, isn't it? You can be honest.

I love that you asked me this question! HA! Yes, it was because the tickets were free. At first, anyway. AND it had a little something to do with the opportunity for a girl's night out. But, I have to say that she is one of the few performers I have heard that sound better live than they do recorded. I didn't buy the T-shirt, but I am a fan now.

Oh, and I can't help you with the boots.....I am sure she got them when she was in Vegas.

2. You've moved around a bit. Where is you favorite place to live and would you go back and why?

The reason I talk so much about my moves is that it is one of the most obvious ways I have seen God at work in my life. He always has something for us when we move.

My favorite place would have to be Austin, though. It's where I went to college, where I met and married my husband and where I ate lots of Mexican food and weighed the least- ha!

But, I don't know if I would go back. Austin was great for me at that time, but it has changed so much....and I have, too. I will always have a special place in my heart for The Heart of Texas and would love to visit and eat there, for sure.

3. Aron is the cutest little thing ever. How many parenting books/classes have you been through over time and which do you find the most valuable?

Thank you! I happen to think he is pretty cute, myself. (that's why he makes up 80% of the content of this blog!) I have never taken a parenting class, per se. But, I have read a few books. The one I am reading now is Bringing Up Boys by Dr. James Dobson. I would recommend it to all parents of boys AND/OR girls. It gives wonderful insight into the design of the sexes and since I grew up with a sister and felt clueless about boys it has helped a ton.

4. What was your favorite subject in school and why?

Spanish. It was new and different and came really easy to me. I credit my early exposure to a foreign language (the 3 yrs we lived in Okinawa, Japan) for turning on the language part of my brain. And I had a HS Spanish teacher who made it fun. I had to take two years to graduate, but opted to take 3 years. In college I changed my major 3 times and ended up taking a break (dropping out, if I am honest). I worked for a while, then Rudy and I got married. I wanted to go back and finish and when I asked myself what I really enjoyed, the answer was Spanish. So, I have a BA in Spanish Language. I hope to teach someday, too.

5. Where and how did you meet your husband?

In May of 1996 I went out looking for a job waiting tables. I was going to take a few summer classes, but also needed to make some cash. I walked into a restaurant in downtown Austin, Texas called Spaghetti Warehouse. I had remembered eating there a few times and it seemed like a fun spot. I filled out an application and the hostess asked me if I could stick around and do an interview. Rudy had just been promoted to manger the month before and he came out in his khaki's and tie and did my first interview. He later told me that he didn't want to hire me because my schedule wasn't flexible enough. No matter, though. His boss called me in for a second interview and I started working there about a week later.
We were friends, at first. But, it was a little awkward to date your boss. So, I found another job and he asked me to marry him that November!

That's it. Hope you all enjoyed getting to know some obscure and maybe interesting things about me. If anyone else wants to play, shoot me an email or leave a comment and I'll interview you!

Sign me up!

I want to be the newest member of the Celine Dion fan club. Seriously! She is amazing!

She's the reason I am blogging at 12:40 a.m. I just saw her perform at the Sommet Center in Nashville tonight and I am too wired for sleep just yet.

I think I only own one or two of her CD's and they are not recent, but when my friend Marcy asked if I wanted to go, I figured, "Why not?". I am so glad I did! She gave an amazing performance and I was surprised at how many of her songs I knew the words to. Power of Love and her cover of Alone were my favorites, but there were so many others.

I found this picture on her website:

She actually wore this outfit tonight. You should see her move around that stage in these boots! I had a blast singing and dancing with Marcy and the other girls we went with and it was a night I will not soon forget. And did I mention the tickets were free and we had box seats?

Oh, Nuts!

That's an exclamataion, not an exasperation. I opened my front door today and found this:

Yahoo! See, I knew what it was right away. A few weeks ago I entered a contest over at Dlyn's place (she has the prettiest photos and the most amazing recipes- go check her out) and I WON! I never WIN! I couldn't believe it. I kept thinking of A Christmas Story, "It's a major award! I won it!"

Then I get an email from Sam at Oh, Nuts! He asked me to check out his website and choose 3 things. Now, that's my kind of prize! Wanna see what I picked?

By the way, do you know how hard it is to open a box and take a picture of it? I don't advise actually trying to do it. Just pretend you are opening it and snap the shot. For your safety's sake!

But, can you blame me for tearing into that box so quickly? Whole Georgia pecans, Cappuccino Fudge Gormet Coffee, and Dark Chocolate Hazelnuts. Hallelujah!

I can tell you right now that the Hazelnuts are divine. Mmm-mmmm! And I will be partaking in some of that coffee very soon. I haven't decided what to do with the pecans yet, but they are huge and the possibilities are endless.

Hope you've enjoyed drooling over my spoils. I am just so tickled to have recieved this wonderful stuff. Be sure to check out Oh, Nuts! for yourself. Sam and his crew have lots of yummy things over there. You'll wonder how I ever chose three!

I'm not one to brag....

...not frequently, anyway. But can I just say.....

HOW 'BOUT THOSE LONGHORNS?!

Happy, Happy Birthday, Baby!

Can you imagine waitng all year long for your birthday? My hubby does. He was born on the last day of the year in 197- ....well, we don't have to go there. He told me a long time ago that it was kinda cool, since there was always a party going on on his birthday. But, tonight we'll spend a quiet evening at home with our kiddo. Maybe we'll pop open some sparkling cider and set off a few fireworks for kicks. We'll be diving into the tamales I have in the freezer and I am making a coconut cake for him, too.

It's the least I can do for all he does for me and our family:

He's an amazing father....

...and a wonderful husband.

Feliz Cumpleanos, amor!

An Anniversary

Do you ever look at the calendar, write the date, think about what day it is and still not realize that it means something to you? Then you are in the middle of an email to an old friend and you are thinking about how long it has been since you've see her and it hits you. TODAY. Today means something! We arrived in Tennessee two years ago today. It is incredible to think that two years has flown by so quickly, but what a two years it has been!

My baby went from this:

to this:

(Seriously! Does anyone know how to make him stop growing?!)

We went from knowing virtually no-one, to the point where I cannot go to the grocery store or Target or the gym without bumping into at least one person I know. I ran into two people while out today! God has blessed us with so many new friends and an amazing church family that fill our lives with love and laughter.

We went from life in the desert to more rain than I have seen in my entire life.

We went from stucco and spanish tile to colonial and wrap-around porches.

We went from a church of 4,000 members and anticipating the opening of the new children's building to being a part of a start-up campus of 400 and anticipating a building of our own someday.

And if I have learned anything at all it is that God is God. No matter where I find myself. Time yields perspective and I look back at our years in Vegas and think of how it prepared us for life now. How joining a Small Group which sounded a little out-there and really pushed Rudy's limits was training for us to lead one now.

I am still learning, still hoping and trying to keep my eyes on The One who holds our future. I wonder what I'll be able to report back after another two years.

Snowballs, GIRLed cheese and Breakfast with Santa

This time of year is busy anyway, but I feel like we got off of the plane after our recent trip to Texas and just hit the ground running. We have had the joyful pleasure of having our little friend Trinity with us a few days this week and she and Aron have been having more fun than two four year olds should be allowed to have. We got a nice snow on Thursday evening out of the blue. It was the first time Trin had seen snow, so she was all about it. Aron's a little more experienced with the white stuff, but just as enthusiastic.

We have been enjoying many of the usual warm winter treats around here, too. You know, hot tea, hot chocolate, warm soups.....girled cheese sandwiches. Yep, Aron says GIRLed cheese, and heaven help you if you try to correct him! He get's very defensive! Girled cheese, it is, baby.

Last weekend we participated in Breakfast With Santa, which is sponsored by a local church. The kids hear a Christmas story, have breakfast, see Santa, do a craft, and get a photo with Santa and a treat bag. All of it is free, too! We love free!

Well, Aron walked in to see Santa like he'd had an appointment for weeks. "Hi, Santa!" he said, waving as he walked up to him. I just stood back behind the photographer and listened to their little chat. Santa was very sweet and took his time with him. And the kicker that makes me all misty-eyed? My four year old-Star Wars lovin-Batman emulating-tough guy asked Santa for a teddy bear!

Snowball fight!

Lovin' the Snowman

Aron and Santa. Look at the way Aron is palying with his beard! So sweet!

Interims

I love to visit other churches and rarely get a chance to.While visiting my family here in Texas, I have had the pleasure of being a part of two different churches.
Last weekend we went to Cowboy Church with my sister and brother in law and that was a new experience for us. It was great to see a group of people with a similar lifestyle and interest using that commonality to create a worship experience that attracts other people who do and love the same thing. They bring the horses and all and rope and ride together on Sundays and sometimes throughout the week.
And today we visited my Mom's church, First Baptist Church of Buffalo, Texas. They have an interim pastor, an interim youth pastor and an interim music director. Symptoms of a small town, I suppose.
The pastor gave a very impassioned message that reminded me of our church at home. He talked about outreach and the purpose of the church. That as church members our focus should be outward, not inward. The whole "It's not about you" message. Sound familiar, my TPCSH friends? I love that God is God no matter where I go and that he speaks to all of his people everywhere.
And you know I have to include a bit about the kid: The sweet children's ministry welcomed Aron into their group with wide-open arms. There were maybe 9 children there. I walked him back to the Sunday School room expecting that I would have to talk him into staying. But, he walked right in and he didn't even look back when I said, "Have fun, buddy!"
After service, Mom and I walked back to retrieve him. He was so excited to show me his papers and inform me that his teacher let him use the scissors. (I know he made a point of telling me this because I WON'T let him use the scissors, but I chose to ignore the comment) Then, as we left the building and braved the wind to find Mom's car he exclaimed, "..and Mommy, today in my class, no-one hit me!"

Thankful.

I have about 6 minutes left of this Thanksgiving Day to post this, not that anyone will read it by then, but I'll feel better having made it under the wire. What a busy day of cooking and visiting and eating and lounging....hope your's was good, too. Here's my list of things I am thankful for as I reflect back on this Thanksgiving:

1. My Husband...he's such a wonderful man and the best father I could ask for to Aron.
2. My son...he makes my insides smile.
3. My family, they make me feel at home.
4. The tiny baby growing in my sister's belly who will make me a biological aunt for the first time!
5. My best friend...whom I am watching experience something she has waited a long time for and who is sharing the joy of it with me.
6. Creation...something about being out here in the country, maybe the quiet, maybe the breezes, surely the sunsets are reminding me whose hand it was that made all of this.
7. My football team! They won and we rock! Hook 'Em!
8. Laughter. We shared so much of it today.
9. Community...what that truly means and that I have been blessed to have learned to be a part of one.
10. The love and grace, forgivness and peace, and the hope that Christ has given me, without which life would be unbearable.

Because I care....

...about the children. Please take the time to watch this. And pass it on.

It's the least we can do...for the children.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6ylxWcwkUM

He's 4!

...and he's the joy of our lives!

Happy Birthday, big guy!

Love, Mommy & Daddy

Conversations from the Carseats

This is Aron with is friend Trinity. Also known as Max and Ruby. They are an absolute riot together. Trinity and Aron were both born in Las Vegas just two days apart. Isn't it funny how her mom and I were both having babies in Vegas, but didn't know eachother, then 3 years later God brings us together in Tennessee and we become instant friends? Anyway, these kids play great together, but butt heads like any two kids turning four tomorrow and this Monday would.

The funniest thing in the world is to get these two in the car together and just listen to the conversations going on in the backseat. As Trinity's grandmother says, they argue like an old married couple. Here's what I had the pleasure of hearing today on our way home from the library:

(the kids spotted some inflateable Christmas decor out the window)

Trinity: I'm gonna call that snowman Frosty.

Aron: Well, I'm gonna call him Mike!

after a minute or two....

Trinity: Aron, what do you want for Christmas, Aron?

Aron: I just want my Mommy and she just wants me.

(so, maybe I've been singing a little Mariah Carey around the house)

Trinity: Are you jokin' me?

Aron: Ugh!

Trinity: Whatever, Aron.

But they really do love eachother.

A thousand words...

4 year check up...and theology

Aron will turn 4 on November 17th and we have not been (or needed to be!) to his doctor since he turned 3! I scheduled his 4 year check up a few weeks early so that we could have it out of the way before we travel home to Texas later this month.
When I let him know a few days ago that he'd be going to the doctor and he was really excited about it. He wanted to know all about what they would do and if he'd get a toy. I told him we'd have to see.
So, today at 2pm we were there for our appointment and I have to say that I really do love his doctor. She is so patient and intenetional with him. She looks him right in the eyes and listens to everything he has to say. I sat there beaming with pride, completely aware of the ear-to-ear mom-grin I was wearing. I couldn't help it! He played tic-tac-toe with her on the paper sheet, spelled his name for her and told her he likes to eat broccoli! That's my boy!
Dr. White is really good about talking to kids about things like safety, stranger danger, and even about who it is OK and not OK to let see or touch certain things. I think this is wonderful and it has prompted some good questions from Aron.
After checking his eyes, ears, nose, etc. it was time to check what Doctor White referred to as "your private parts". Poor Aron looked so confused. We use correct anatomy terms in our house, but for the sake of clean blogging and those of you who might blush I'll refrain.
So here is the conversation I witnessed as I sat there:

Dr. White: OK, Aron. Now, I am going to check your private parts.
Aron: (blank face)
Dr. White: Now, It's only OK for me to check your private parts because who is here?
Aron: (pause.....and then his face lights up) GOD!
Dr. White: Yes, God is here, but who else?
Aron: Jesus!
Dr. White: Uh-huh, but who is here with us that makes it OK for you to pull your pants down? (pointing at me as I sit there trying not to laugh)
Aron: Mommy!

Whew! I wasn't sure if he was going to say, "The Holy Ghost" next or what!

Max and Ruby....

Ruby and Max.....

For those of you not familiar with the books by Rosemary Wells or the cartoon series based on them, meet Max and Ruby. Both the books and the show are a hoot! Max is a Dennis-the-Menace type character who is looked after by his big sister, Ruby. (I have often wondered where the parent bunnies are...)

When my friend Marcy suggested we dress our kids up as Max and Ruby this Halloween, I was all for it. Aron loves them and often walks around the house imitating Max.

We went shopping for the bunny basics: ears, tails, and paws. Then we found a dress for Trinity and I made a Dragon Shirt for Aron. I think they turned out pretty cute, don't you?

Yes, I did!

I went yesterday. Got my sticker and everything. Early voting rocks! Look up your county's voter registration info on-line and go do it!

Some people may not be decided yet, but for me it is less about the person and more about the issues. I don't care if he's cool or what color his tie is. I care about the values of the candidate. Their voting record and their morals.

There are some basic things that have to be black and white, in my opinion. Like life and death, for example.

I heard a speaker today say that "We live in a culture in which it is wrong to say that things are wrong. And that's wrong!" He's a pastor at a church in D.C. and I can only imagine how much he experiences this on a daily basis.

People don't like to say or hear that what someone else is doing is not OK. They think, "Well, that's not OK for me, but it is OK for them." Where in the world is this going to get us? Is this really what we want to teach our children? This grey, mushy, vague system of right and wrong?

Not me. I am not saying that there isn't room for grace and acceptance, because if there weren't, there would be no room for me. But, I am saying that I have to stand up for my beliefs. For the absolute truths that God has given us.

And that's why I voted.

Yep, I am back in the South!

When we moved to Tennessee I was excited to be back in "The South". There really is a big difference in the lifestyle on the West Coast and I really feel more at home here than I did in Vegas. Not that I didn't have a wonderful group of friends and a great church famliy there.

But, back to what I was saying. About the South. There are several things that let you know you are in "The South". Such as Sweet Tea. If you order iced tea in a restaurant here, you have to tell them if you want it unsweetened (and that's how I drink it) or you will get a beverage made of about 3/4 cups of tea and 1 cup of sugar! Also, people here know what grits are, God bless them. I just love grits. Another thing I notice here, and love, is that people put wreaths on their doors. And not just at Christmas time. There are wreaths for all seasons in Tennessee and I think it is just charming. And sweet. And, well, precious.

But the other day, I recieved in the mailbox what I am considering the ultimate proof, the undeniable evidence, the official certification that I am dwelling in The South. I pulled out an invitation to suscribe to THIS MAGAZINE:GARDEN & GUN
Really? There is such a publication, people. I am still contemplating my subscription. It'd be a fun conversation starter to have on the coffee table, no?

"isms" and the things kids say

My friend Lisa has a small quilt hanging in her house that her aunt made. On each square is a little saying or mis-speak that her daughter, Gabrial, would say when she was younger. I just loved this idea. When your little ones are learning to talk, there are so many funny things they will say, but eventually they grow out of them.

I have found myself saddened when Aron does this and I am determined not to forget the silly, funny and cute things he has said. They're his Aronisms! Like:

"Hooken Horns" - we're Texas fans and the phrase is "Hook 'Em", but it's too cute to correct.

"Monkey George" - AKA Curious George. Aron still calls him this and I find myself doing it, too.

"Tucky"- this is Kentucky. Rudy travels to Louisville alot and Aron says, "Daddy's in Tucky."

"Funball!"-or rather, fumble. We watch a little football in this house.

"Dot Com"- this is a new silly obsession of his. Anytime he hears about a web address he has to
fill me in. "Mommy, you can go to Toyota dot com!", he said the other day.

"Let's get this party started!"-my son actually yelled this while running through the sprinkler in our yard this Monday. (yes, I know it is October. We were watering the lawn and he got excited and it was one of those moments when we just decided to let him be a kid)

"Wass Begas"- or Las Vegas- he doesn't say this one anymore, but he used to start all kinds of conversations with the phrase, "Mommy, when I was a baby in Wass Begas..."

"Bee Cereal"- what he calls Honey Nut Cheerios. There's a bee on the box, so it makes sense to him.

"Eleventeen"-this number would be interjected randomly somewhere between 10 and 20 when counting. He just recently left this one behind.

"Ernie!"- Aron actually used to call himself Ernie. Like Ernie and Bert. This was a few years ago when we were still in Vegas. I would say, "What's your name?" and he would say "Ernie!" He actually argued with me if I tried to correct him. It was short-lived, but so funny!

I am sure there are many more funny, sweet, and silly things he'll say in the future. I can't wait!