It’s funny….

how your accent changes when you get around your family.

Today we went out to my Aunt Kim’s for her homemade lasagna (Jennifer, I know you’re jealous). It was my family of six, my parents, my aunt and uncle and their daughter and her friend, and my cousin and her husband.

We had a great time laughing and cuttin’ up. My cousins friend is from New York, and I never would have known except she said, “Yoos Guys.” I stopped her right there and asked where she was from.
She really has assimilated well, but the “yoos guys” gave her away.

However, I realize that when I am around my family, that south-east Texas accent comes blaring out of my mouth with no hope for retrieval. It is good that I am with my family. If I were with some other friends I would be totally ragged on, but this is family. Where one can sit comfortably saying: fixin’ and goin’ and gonna.
Texas has many different accents, each as unique as the other, but of course I love the south east Texas accent. Anyone heard speaking it is recognizable at once, and it brings joy to my heart to hear it.

and now for the rest of the story…

It’s getting Better!

After my blood work for the endocrinologist last week, she is doubling my metformin (the medicine I take for PCOS).
So far, I have noticed my clothes fitting better, I’m not ravenously hungry, and I am in a much better mood.
Apart from a brief infection this week, I am feeling much better as well. My spirits are up, and I enjoyed a nice walk with Beloved today.
I really like when things seem normal again.

So, to celbrate a new start, I have made a progress chart:

and now for the rest of the story…

Forgiveness Friday

So many times, we walk through this world angry.

Angry at people.
Angry at things.
Angry at ourselves.

Today I proclaim Forgiveness Friday!

I forgive C, who was my friend, and stopped talking to me years ago. Though I have tried to reach her, she has not replied. I forgive her, and I release her from any obligation I once held her to.

I forgive this tiny house. It has no way of knowing that it harbors things that disgust me, nor has it the ability to change. I forgive it and release it from my demands of change. I hold only myself accountable to get us out of debt quickly enough to relieve us of this house.

I forgive myself. For so many things. For gaining weight. For my body failing in childbirth. For becoming angry at little things.

For this one thing I have learned: I forget what is behind me, and I press on toward the prize.

I will strive everyday to forgive and forget the things that have come against me. For I fight not against flesh and blood, but against the powers and principalities of this dark world.

Amen!

and now for the rest of the story…

HOOT

No, I haven’t seen the movie, but I’ve seen enough previews on TV to be disgusted with it.

The children are out to save this endangered species of owls. I’m all for that, but the line that catches my attention is this: If we don’t stand up for them, who will?

Exactly, if we don’t make a stand for the tiny lives of baby humans, who will?
If we don’t make a stand for Christ and His Messiahship, who will?
If we don’t defend the Christian Faith against the “DaVinci Code”, who will?

The reasonings of the world are ridiculous.
I very much liked this article about the mistakes found in “The DaVinci Code.” Amusing, and lighthearted, but informational as well.

I saw Paula White Show this morning with a professor and his research on the DaVinci Code, and it was very alarming.
The theory is that Jesus was not really the Christ, and the death and resurrection was just an elaborate hoax put on by Jesus and Mary of Magdelene.
It is a direct attack on the diety of Jesus.
As Christians, we should be boycotting, at the very least, this movie and be ready to do damage control as people come from this movie. I think a lot of teens are going to be greatly confused when they come out of this movie, as if we need them any more confused.
It’s time to rise up Church, stand and stand firm. We need to be on the offense, not the defense on this one. Let’s fight, like we never fought before!

and now for the rest of the story…

Works-For-Me Wednesday!

What works for me in the kitchen is this:

When we bring groceries home, I make sure to set the hamburger meat aside.
I then cook all the hamburger meat and seperate it into individual ziploc bags.
I put the bagged, cooked hamburger meat into the freezer, and when I need it, I remove one pound at a time, pop it in the microwave, and voila!= Precooked hamburger meat ready for any meal!

Okay, so I don’t always precook the meat. My other tip in this area is to buy hamburger meat in the 1 pound “sausage link” wrappers. I freeze them, and when I need to thaw them out, I place one in a sink of VERY HOT water. It thaws in about 5 to 10 minutes, and I’m ready to cook.

and now for the rest of the story…

And so it begins….

Today, Beloved interviewed for a new position at work. He got it.

And although this is a promotion, of sorts, it didn’t come as a happy thing.

I am so proud of my Beloved, and I know he deserves this position, but it means a longer commute, and probably less time with the family (something we are already missing).

However, disappointment aside, this position will MAKE him organize nearly every minute of his day. He has to schedule employees, and lunches and interviews, etc., etc., etc.

The commute is only about 20 minutes, but factoring in rush hour traffic could add an hour or more.

He is partly excited and partly disappointed as well, and just prays this time will not be longer than it needs be. In six months he can apply for another position, and hopefully one closer to home. Until then, it’s the crazy morning commute for him, and the long summer days with four kids for me.

and now for the rest of the story…

Tuesday Treasure

This is Melody Joy. My Pink Girl. She is my treasure. The child I prayed for. I have four children all together, but Melody Joy is the only girl.
She loves pink and flowers and butterflies. She loves to laugh and be tickled and play in her kitchen.
She is my treasure. A rose among thorns, if you will. She is my beautiful little girl. And though my boys are treasures also, Melody is a special treasure as only a daughter can be.

and now for the rest of the story…

Where I’m from

I am from long summer days and short winters. I am from tall pine trees and front porch swings. I am from clothes dried on the line with that crisp clean outdoor smell. I am from watermelons split open on the back porch and eaten slice by slice with my mouth. I am from slamming screen doors in the humid summer air. From playing tag in the whole neighborhood until it was dark. From playing freeze tag, and hide and go seek. From sprinklers in the St. Augustine grass. From bike rides to the Corner Store.

I am from the frame house next door to Grandma’s with her magnolia’s and gardenia’s. I am from sitting on the church floor during the sermon with a coloring book. I am from the sweet sound and realization that there was a way to be “saved” and asking Christ into my heart on a dark Tuesday night at the tender age of eleven.

I am from Allendale Baptist Church and the first to be baptized in the new church baptistery. I am from a longer than needed Texas year when Mom went through depression. From watching my Daddy pray for her to live. Watching Daddy plead for her to come back to us. Watching Daddy grieve his missing wife.

I am from a day when the sun shone again on Mom’s life. When the dust cleared and her eyes shone bright blue again. When shopping was the agenda for the day, and Daddy was the love of her life again. When people change and churches collapse and moving to a different church changed out lives.

I am from a strong youth group and a funny youth choir. I am from singing my heart out for the Lord. From dedicating my voice to Him and Him alone. From loving God and following after Him.

I am from rebellion and pain. Leaving all that was sacred to me and clinging to things of this world. Finding my way back to the feet of Christ and being held and loved as if I’d just come home from a long trip. Renewing my faith in Him and starting all over again. Finding out that grace has more to do with Him than with me.

I am from finding the love of my life in college and singing once more in the church choir. From praise teams and solos and audience applause. From places I wish to see again and some I do not. From laughter and love and things that are pure to pain and anguish and things that destroy.

I cling to the things of Heaven and yearn for them more everyday. I am from this world, craving to see another. I am a child of The King.

and now for the rest of the story…

The Flying Dutchman

AKA: Andrea Rieu

Last night, my friend, Lou, took me with her to see Andrea Rieu and his orchestra.
Admittedly, it has been a very long time since I have seen an orchestra in concert, and never professionally.

But last night was amazing and fun. If you’ve never heard of Andrea Rieu, check PBS for the next time his concert airs. The crowd was very entertained, and I think even my Beloved, who doesn’t get into classical music, would have loved this.

Of course, the best part for us Americans was when they played America, The Beautiful, but toward the end they played a Central American tune, that I did not know, but their were some Mexicans in the audience and they quite enjoyed it.

It was so great to sit their, listening to this wonderful, moving music, and not think about chores at home. They had The Three Tenors, and The Three Sopranos, and it made me long for the days when I sang on stage.

Andrea Rieu made a statement last night that I think I shall never forget. He said something like A musician can only fully express his (/her) love through music. I think I agree with that, and it explains why I struggle in times when I am not singing.

I love to perform on stage, and I love to worship God while doing it. I love to see the crowd come closer to God through the music. I love to see people changed as I sing, to see their hearts moved toward God, to see their hardness break. I love to be used by God to bring peace into someones life, to heal a broken heart, to give God’s love to someone.

Oh, how I miss the stage. How I long to be a part of a choir or praise team.

Lord, give me strength to wait for your perfect timing.

The orchestra, and The Three Sopranos, also played/sang: I Could Have Danced All Night, from My Fair Lady, and Don’t Cry for Me Argentina, from Evita. It was a wondrous time, and I shall not soon forget it.

and now for the rest of the story…

Trouble

Tonight at Bible study, Ronnie mentioned that we are lonely for each other. It just seems like we are too busy to have enough time together lately.
Ronnie’s job keeps him pretty busy, we have things to do and places to go. Every week feels like an endless chore that is never done.

So, tonight. After we mentioned how this was stressful on our marriage and family, one of the other members of the group pointed out that another member was gone from his family for a month at a time. But then he is home for a month, and gone a month, and so on. (He works in off shore rigging in Africa)

Anyway, I felt like someone had belittled our situation. Like what my family is experiencing isn’t as bad as it seems, and that I should just get over it. Ronnie has to work to support his family, and I should just be content with that.

WHAT!?!?!

Then I realized, maybe we are just doing too many things. I mean, I want to keep the boys in swimming lessons, but we may just have to stop so we aren’t so strung out every day of the week.

I don’t know.

The verse was brought up that in this world you will have trouble, and the focus was put on our having trouble in this world, but nothing said about the “I give you my peace” part.

So where is the peace? Are we missing it? Are we so busy with our “lives” that we miss the peace of God. I have really been needing His peace lately.

It’s just been difficult since we moved into this little two bedroom house with four kids. We are trying to make the most of it, but it seems everytime Ronnie has chance for promotion lately, he is passed over for someone else. It, of course, doesn’t seem fair, but I know God is in control.

I know God’s plans are to prosper us, but I feel so trapped. I sometimes just want to run away from it all. I sometimes hate my life.

Then, the sun comes out and I see my baby raise his hands during a worship song and clap his hands. I see my child get exited about going to worship, and shout, “Praise You, Jesus!” I see my little girl say “Hallelujah!” And suddenly everything else is a blur.

In this world, you will have trouble, but I give you my peace, that where I am there you may also be.

I want to be in His presence every day, all day.

and now for the rest of the story…