Time to get out....

OUTSIDE, that is! Those of you from the North can laugh all you want, but this southern gal is seriously over cold weather. I would rather it be 90 than 40 any day. I prefer to wear a tank-top, flip-flops and a ponytail over a sweater, coat and scarf. That's just how I am made. But here we are in Tennessee- the farthest north I have ever lived. Around Valentine's Day I start getting Spring Fever. I can't wait to get outdoors, to soak up some sunshine, to smell cut grass. But I have to hang on a month or two more.

We've been blessed with a few warm and sunny days here lately and I have tried to capitalize on them. I took Aron and Jackson (my charge 3 days each week, and one of the family) to the Zoo last week to meet up with some friends. I think we hit 80 that day and my neck got a little pink from the sun. It made me giddy!

Aron on the carousel

Jackson and I on the Zoo carousel

The boys on the bridge at the Zoo's playscape; feeding the lorikeets some nectar

We got out this weekend and did some landscaping. I loved every minute of it, but my knees are mad at me. I'll have to wait a little bit longer for that just-cut-grass smell, unfortunately. Our mower needs a little work. But, either way, Spring has sprung and I couldn't be happier.

A Word

I saw a post by Flea that I really wanted to do here. Apparently, she stole it from someone else, so I really don't feel bad stealing it from her!


The idea is to list single words that have changed your life forever. And I loved her idea of adding pictures to represent these things. Here are mine:

Love

Yes

Boy

Friend

Move

Family

Now, tell me yours!

My FAVORITE Billboard

I see this billboard everytime we drive back from Louisville and it just cracks me up! What an advertising campaign! Sorry it isn't a better picture, but I was driving down I-65.

It says, "Lincoln Never Slept Here.......but YOU CAN! Bowling Green, KY"

You know, 'cause Lincoln was born in Kentucky. OK, maybe it's not THAT funny, but after miles and miles of driving, my brain is pretty much applesauce.

Springing Forward

Anyone else have a time-hangover today? I suppose I can't blame it all on the time change. Aron and I drove up to Louisville on Friday night to see Rudy, as he has been up there helping to open the new deli. And last night we drove up into southern Indiana to visit our dear friends Debbie and Buster from our Las Vegas home group. We stayed up way too late, lost an hour and then drove back to Tennessee after brunch at Mimi's Cafe (YUM!).

Anyway, I am hoping that Spring really is here and that we have a lot more days like this:

And not so many more like this:

FBF 11: Four-legged Family (and a note about 3 years of blogging)

This edition of Flasback Friday is in honor of the four-legged friends that find their way into our hearts and become family members.

I am an animal lover through and through, but mostly I am a dog person. I don't really do cats. Mostly because I am allergic, partially because of the whole litter-box thing and secretly because I just plain don't like 'em. I don't wish them any harm, but they are not for me. My poor son is constantly asking for a cat. My husband isn't a cat-person either and we just laugh that the child was just born into the wrong family pet-wise.

Back in 1998, around the time of our first wedding anniversary, I told Rudy I wanted a dog. He thought I was crazy, but I knew we were nowhere near ready for kids and I needed something to nurture and snuggle with when Rudy was working those late restaurant hours. We went down to the Town Lake Animal Shelter in Austin and found this guy:

(Rudy and I with Weasel, Mt. Charleston, NV Christmas 2003)

He was a pathetic-looking, emaciated mutt that the shelter had dubbed 'Weasel'. We had planned to changed his name, but after busting out of the backyard after squirrels a couple of times and sneaking his way into our bed at night, we decided the name was a good fit and we left well enough alone.
Weasel was an amazing companion to us through some of the toughest years of our lives. Anytime we were upset, he could sense it and would come over, push his nose into our laps and rest his chin there as if to say, "I'm here, and whatever it is, I'm with you."
When Aron came along, a lot changed for Weasel. Poor guy got demoted overnight! But he and Aron had a special relationship that was so touching to witness. "Doh" (dog) was Aron's first word, and he eventually called him "Deedle". This is one of my favorite pictures of them and is framed in Aron's room:

(Aron and Weasel on our patio in Las Vegas, Summer 2005)

We had to say goodbye to Weaz back in 2006 and it nearly broke my heart in two. I think I cried every night for about two weeks. But we cherish our memories with such a special pet and are just now contemplating adopting another dog. I hope we will find one as loyal and with as much 'personality' as our first pet.

A note about blogging: I cannot believe I have been doing this blog for 3 years! Life has certainly been adventurous since that first post in February of 2006. It has been so much fun and I have met and shared life-stories with so many people. Thank you to all of those who follow, or stop by and/or comment. You are a big part of what makes this hobby worthwhile.

Humbled

My previous post was about my sweet friend Marcy who will be moving way out west next week. Blogging about someone you care about and who has touched your life might seem silly to some. You might like there is a better way to show someone how you feel-and maybe there is. But today, I was deeply touched by someone's words about me on their blog. I was left with tears in my eyes and the only word that came to mind was, "Wow."

http://thisiskristin.com/2009/02/17/positive-post-tuesday-lori

I share this with you, not to boast or brag or pat myself on the back. I share it with you in hopes that you will tell others how they have touched your life-whether it be via phonecall, text message, blog post or good ol' snail mail.

It could be just the encouragement their heart it needing. I can tell you first hand, that it meant the world to me.
Pass it on!

A Friend

I knew I wanted to post about my sweet friend Marcy. And I knew there was a verse that spoke the sentiment of my heart right now. But, I am horrible with Bible addresses. I remember the phrase, and sometimes the book, but the chapter and verse are hard for me to make stick in my memory. Thank you, Lord, for on-line concordances! I knew it was in Proverbs and when I saw the numbers I had to stop and smile. See, 17 is my favorite number and the verse I was recalling is Proverbs 17:17,

" A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity."

There are a handful of people that God has put on my path that I know almost immediately will be in my life for the long haul. And invariably He has brought us together and then separated us by long distances. Yet, each of these special friendships has endured and even strengthened despite the miles between us.

Last year we signed up Aron for T-ball. I though it would be a great way for him to get some exercise, learn a team sport and get to know some other people in our community. Marcy had registered her daughter, Trinity, and volunteered to be the team's coach. When we first met, Marcy was so shy, but the more we talked, the more we had in common. Marcy was from Texas, but moved here via Las Vegas. I said, "Wait a minute! That's my story!" We soon discovered that we had lived less than a mile apart while in Las Vegas and that Aron and Trinity were born just two days apart!

Our new and fast friendship was sweetened by the fact that our two kiddos adored one-another. As Forrest Gump would say, they "was like peas and carrots." See what I mean.

So, once again I find myself preparing to say goodbye to someone I have really connected with. She has been a Proverbial loving friend at all times, but better than that she is like a sister, born into my life at just the right time. She has supported me and prayed with me. She's made me laugh out loud and been a comfort just by being in the same room.

I love you, Marcy and I will be praying for you and your family as you return to Las Vegas. I know that our friendship will continue for many, many years and I look forward to hearing about what God has waiting for you out west!

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