Monday, April 27, 2009

My Husband Rocks!!!!

As most of you know, my husband, Mickey, races his 4-wheeler competitively. Yesterday he competed in the MidEast Series race in Morganton, NC. He battled through the heat, mountainous terrain and severe dust to finish 8th in his class!!! Congratulations, Mick, on your Top 10 finish! You rock!!



Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Wordless Wednesday....almost!

Well, you know I can't be completely wordless... Below are 2 pics I took the other day following a rainstorm!

Head on over to 160 Acres for more beautiful pictures and words of inspiration!

Saturday, April 18, 2009

A Few Things I Learned About Men....

On Thursday morning as I was riding back from Food Lion I tuned into 106.9 The Light (one of our local Christian radio stations) and Dr. Dobson with Focus on the Family was featuring author Shaunti Feldhahn. They were engaged in the 3rd of a 3-part series (What Women Should Know About Men) discussing highlights from her book For Women Only. Wow! What insights I gained in such a a short amount of time about ways to become a better helpmate and wife to my wonderful, Godly husband!


As soon as the few groceries were put in their respected places, I logged onto the Focus on the Family website and began listening to the other 2 broadcasts. My hand could not keep up with with my brain as I was noting points of interest to reflect on further, talk with Mickey about, and of course, later blog!


I know you are all wondering "What did you learn about men?" So, here it goes:

- First and foremost, men need to feel respected, trusted and supported in a relationship. What does that look like? Well, take for instance that you and your hubby are on your way to meet some friends for dinner. This is a new restaurant and notice that you seem to keep passing the same landmarks time and time again. Well, as women, we would say, "Honey, why don't you pull over and ask for directions?" To a man we are basically saying, "Honey, I don't trust you and your since of direction to be able to get us to the restaurant on time."

- Second, we need to stop all the nagging (Yes, I was convicted to the core, but I have since asked for forgiveness from Mickey.) When we continue to "nag" about certain issues (maybe the landscaping outside your house...haha) It sends the message to our husbands that we are disappointed in them. They process our nagging as "I've failed!" or that we do not trust him to get it done. We should make a concerted effort to say to ourselves, "I've asked him to do it. He hasn't done it. So, there has to be a reason why it hasn't been done yet (time, monetary resources, etc.) I will trust him to get it done. " Drop it. Move on. "


- Next, it is very easy for a man to measure success at work by promotions, salary, awards, etc. The only measurement of success at home is the happiness of his wife!


- After that, I wrote down that men and women think of romance in very different ways. Women usually associate romance with candles, flowers, dinner out, etc. Men tend to associate romance with doing things together like going to Home Depot, watching football, playing golf together, etc. Another point that was intriguing regarding romance is that men seem to think they have to do it "bigger or better" next time. Shaunti gave the example that for one of her birthdays her husband surprised her while on a trip to NYC with private ice skating lessons at Rockefeller Center. She then went on to say that it took 3 years before her husband did something romantic again. After they talked about it, she discovered that in his mind nothing could live up to the last event so he just did nothing. We need to reassure our husbands that unexpected flowers, a card, gift certificate, our favorite candy, etc. is just as romantic as a weekend away. It really is the thought that counts!


- We should make every effort to keep ourselves healthy and beautiful for our husbands. That can be anything from getting out of those same black sweat pants and t-shirt to purchasing some new makeup or perfume to keeping our bodies at a healthy weight. That one hit me in the gut!! Shaunti was quick to mention that this doesn't neccessarily mean losing weight, but that is an area I have really been struggling with lately. I want my body to be something that I am not ashamed of. Mickey tells me time and time again how beautiful I am, but I want to get to a point where I feel beautiful (yet, that's another post!)


Anyway, those are just a few of the insights I gleaned from listening to this wonderful broadcast. I strongly encourage you to head over to Focus on the Family and check it out for yourself. Once you are on the main page you will have to click on the link for daily broadcasts, then click last week and go to page 3 and 4.

Be sure to let me know what you think about the broadcasts and tips you have for keeping the romance alive in your home!!!

Friday, April 17, 2009

So thrilled!!

Just in case you are wondering what Mickey and I will be up to tonight....

Align LeftWe will be having a "date night" as we watch our favorite TV show together- Prison Break!! The encore of last season's finale will begin at 8 PM and will be followed by the 1st in the final 5 episodes beginning at 9 PM. Mickey and I haven't missed an episode since the show first started. So...Mackaylan will be put to bed early, popcorn will be popped, and Mickey and I will tune in to Fox 21 for another nail-biting, action packed episode of Prison Break. In my opinion, there is no better way to spend a Friday night!

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Friday, April 10, 2009

Phillipians 3:14

Ok...let's just say that I didn't do so well with my daily goals this week. I think they are all achievable I just need to remind myself each morning of what they are. I think I am going to write them down and tape them to the bathroom mirror so I will be reminded each and every morning! As far as the weekly goals go, I was successful in all 3! Yippee! I attended all of my therapy sessions, read the book Moment of Weakness, and memorized 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. I was also successful about making our beds each morning and conducting the "Clean Sweep" before bed. The project for the week was to organize KK's clothes/toys. My mom came down and helped me complete this task. It felt so good to get this accomplished! Overall, I feel like it was a successful week. I like the accountability of participating in Which Proverbs 14:1 Woman? Philippians 3:14 Fridays. It may be just what you need as well! Head on over and check it out!

Goals for the week of April 12-18

- drink 64 oz. of water daily

- NO soda/tea (I really want to do this one!!!)

- exercise daily (walk, walk..I downloaded Mandisa's new album so I am ready for this one!)

- memorize one Bible verse

- read one book

-organize jewelry

-M&M time- quality time each day with Mackaylan (craft, game, outdoor activity, etc.)





Tuesday, April 7, 2009

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's
will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
...give thanks in all circumstances...Wow! That is not always easy to do, is it? I know it isn't for me. Over the past few weeks I know there have been many times when I did not give thanks. For instance, when I was in so much pain I couldn't roll over in bed without using the assitance of the bedpost, or when I couldn't get up and walk without the help of someone else, or a walker. I know I wasn't giving thanks when some of my best friends left for the Extraordinary Women's conference and I was left at home, or when I had not been out of my house for weeks on end.
...give thanks in all circumstances... I have read that scripture many, many times before, but today when I read those words the Holy Spirit convicted me to the core. The word all stuck out like it never has before. Notice it doesn't say some. It says all. No matter what we are going through we should give thanks. Whoa!
...give thanks in all circumstances... This means that no matter what we are going through, whether it be something major like a serious medical condition, or something trivial like the fact that all of your capris/shorts from last summer are too tight, we should be full of joy and thankful. As Christians we can find comfort in knowing that where we are right now is God's will for [us.] We can also rest assured knowing that in "all things God works for the good for those who love him (Romans 8:28.)"
So, today I challenge you to join me as I commit 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 to memory this week. Once we have God's word in our heart, I pray He will use the power of the Holy Spirit to administer an immediate attitude check each and everytime we begin to play host to an awful pity party. I also pray that once the scripture comes to mind we will immediately be reminded that it is God's will for us to be more joyful, prayerful and thankful people no matter what the circumstances, and then to act accordingly!

Sunday, April 5, 2009

What can I say?...

I love to read! However, due to the nature of my current job, I usually spend most of my time reading nonfiction. You know.. professional books, most of them concerning literacy (esp. in the primary grades). I also like to read, what I would call "self-help" books. It's not that I don't enjoy reading fiction. It's just that once I get into a book--I CAN"T PUT IT DOWN!!!!!!!!! Actually, I really love reading fiction. However, in my life there seems to be a very fine line between love and addiction (same goes for chocolate, Coca-Cola, shopping...)

For example, I started reading A Moment of Weakness by Karen Kingsbury (my favorite author) on Friday night before bed. I woke up Saturday morning and read every possible waking moment that I could. That means in between making breakfast, turning on "shows," playing with my 4 yr. old DD, making PB&J sandwiches, working on the blog, etc. the book was in hand. After reading well over 3/4 of the book it was time to go to bed and......I COULDN"T SLEEP! The characters and the plot were running over and over again in my mind. All I could think about was Jade, Tanner, Ty, and what the remaining pages had in store. I tossed and turned and eventually had to get out of bed, get a drink of water, and take some meds. I tried to clear my mind by watching a little college basketball on TV and eventually I fell asleep. When I woke up this morning all I could think about was getting back into my book. I read the entire time my family was at church and finally successfully completed the book this afternoon!

If you have never read any of Karen Kingsbury's work I highly recommend you get in your car, drive to your local library or bookstore and pick one up. I promise that once you start reading you will not want to stop. You may just find yourself addicted as well!! By the way, while you're out, can you pick up Halfway to Forever for me?

Saturday, April 4, 2009

Phillipians 3:14

I am excited to be able to be apart of Philippians 3:14 Fridays hosted by Which Proverbs 14:1 Woman? I think it will be a great way to hold myself accountable for changes that I am wanting to make in my life. Today I will be posting my goals for April. Each consecutive Friday I will post about my progress and how things are going. So.....here it goes.

Daily Goals:
- drink 64 oz. of water daily
- limit myself to one soda/glass of tea each day
- exercise daily (walking...just what the doctor ordered!)
- continue quiet time and working through current Bible study- Discovering God's Will
- M&M: allow Mackaylan to choose at least one activity daily that we complete together (craft, outdoor activity, game, etc.)

Weekly Goals:
- memorize at least 1 Bible verse
- attend required physical therapy sessions
- read at least 1 book

Personal:
- make bed daily (I have been backsliding on this one!)
- meal plan and shop accordingly each week
- "Clean Sweep" each night before going to bed- all items picked up

Projects:
- clean out closet and organize spring/summer wardrobe
- organize KK's clothes/toys
- shop for a few "spring" household decorations
- organize jewelry

Now I guess I need to print these off and hang them in a visible location so I will be sure to adhere to the goals I have set for this month. What about you? Do you have something that you have been wanting to do, but have lacked the motivation and/or accountability to carry through? You are more than welcome to join the fun as we all "press on" toward our goal(s)! :)

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Look Who's 4!!!

Today is my DD's 4th birthday! I can't believe how time flies. It was only 4 yrs. ago that the Lord blessed our family with her beautiful smile and sweet spirit! Now, I can't imagine life without her! Below is a list of Fun Facts about Mackaylan at this stage in her life!



At the age of 4, Mackaylan.....

- loves to watch "the singing show"- American Idol
- watches High School Musical repeatedly
- enjoys taking dance (tap and ballet)
- shares a "special kiss" with her mommy- from HSM 2!
- gives "butterfly kisses" to her daddy everyday
- has many names- Mackaylan, KK, Mac, Mac-a-doodle,
Doodle Bug, and sometimes Sarah Allen :)
- favorite foods are PopTarts, chicken nuggets, PB sandwiches
and cheese dip
- Pepsi/Sprite are her favorite drinks
- is a huge helper around the house
- always on the go
- had her first sleepover w/ friends last weekend
- entertains her imaginary friends Casey and Dizzy often
- generous heart
- is finally #2 potty trained w/ the help of many dollar bills
- makes me laugh when she says"Mom, it sure is froggy
outside this morning!"
- another cute phrase "Oh, I have an eyeflash in my eye!"
- changes clothes MANY times a day
- loves watching The Backyardigans, Wonder Pets,
Max and Ruby and anything else on Noggin
- loves Jesus and going to church
- enjoys singing
- would rather play with decorations around the house
than her toys
- loves to help daddy feed Sima
- likes to play outside on her "playground!"
- wears dresses almost everyday
- loves going to daddy's 4-wheeler races with the family
- has lots of friends of all ages
- is often called "chatter box" b/c she talks non-stop!
- has a large vocabulary
- loves learning the meaning of new words
- is anticipating a trip to Disney World in the future
- wants a baby brother or sister about as much as
her mom/dad do!
- is blessed with grandparents who allow her to
"spend over the night" often!
- is loved so much by her ENTIRE family
- loves pink and anything "girlie"
- has a vivid imagination and can pretend play for
hours on end
- preceeds most sentences with "____, I need to tell
you something!"

...and the list could go on and on!

Happy 4th Birthday, Mackaylan! We love you!

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Just for fun!

I'm now an official member of the Danny Gokey fanclub! Don't be jealous. You can join too. Head on over to the official American Idol website and join the fanclub of your favorite contestant. What else is there to do when you are cooped up in your house on a rainy Wednesday morning? And don't forget to watch American Idol tonight @ 9:00 to see who is going home. Hey, I'm pretty good at this. Watch out Ryan!