Curtain Call

15 Years and Counting

Fifteen years ago today, Brian and I said "I do." Time has flown by, and while it has not always been a bed of roses, I wouldn't change a thing...I can't wait to see what the next 15 years brings.

Vacation Time

We will not be taking a huge long vacation this year. With our move earlier in the year, and all of the construction at church, Brian has used up the majority of his time off, so we have decided to do several small weekend trips this year. Last weekend we headed to Branson for a few days. We took the kids to Silver Dollar City for the first time and it was definitely a successful trip. The kids loved it so much that we decided to purchase season tickets so we can take them back a couple of times.

Stephen especially liked the rides. His favorite was the American Plunge. He loved getting wet. Skylar wasn't so sure about it. She decided to give it a try but wasn't too thrilled when we got off of it, though by the end of the day she had decided she really did like it and wanted to ride again.

We can't wait to take them back for another trip soon...

A Month Later

I can't believe it was a month ago today that we finally closed on our new house. The last month has really flown by. I still don't feel completely settled in, but we are making progress. Hopefully before long we can have everything put away, tax season will be over with, and the church construction project will be finished and we can simply start enjoying ourselves again. Brian and I are both really ready for a break. He has been putting in a lot of hours at church, on top of work. I have been working way more overtime than I really anticipated. We both are overwhelmed and exhausted. But this too shall pass, and before long we will be able to just have some down time with nothing planned. I can't wait!!!

Race for the Cure - Pictures

Saturday was the annual Race for the Cure. A couple of friends from church, the kids, Brian and I donned our pink in support of finding a cure for breast cancer. Oh and there were about 50,000 other people there too. We had a great time. The kids really enjoyed it. They even walked the last mile with me. It's not too late to make a donation. If you're interested click here to show your support.

Try Again...

Brian and I are in desperate need of a getaway. We had planned to go to Mt. Magazine State Park last Friday night, but we ended up cancelling our reservations due to Stephen being sick and Skylar's recent school meltdown. But we haven't given up. We have rescheduled for later in October. Hopefully by then the leaves will be changing, making for an even more spectacular trip. If we actually get to go this time, I will post pictures.

Also, after much prayer Skylar seems to be moving past her problems with school. She still has reservations about going, and definitely isn't as excited about it as she once was, but at least the tears and wailing seem to have subsided for now. We still don't know what got into her. Maybe she was just testing the waters to see how far she could push us? I am continuing to pray for her that she will once again love going to school, but for now I will accept the answered prayer of her not throwing a conniption fit every morning.

Still Waiting Patiently

Well we have not heard a thing yet on the offer we made. It's been hard to not get my hopes up but I am doing ok. Of course there has been a good amount of daydreaming about what we will do if we get the house. There is a growing list of things that we need to do to our house to get it ready to sell. The first thing is to rent a storage locker and move some of the stuff out - just to make it look bigger and not so cramped. With that there will be a lot of decluttering - at least I hope. We have so much stuff that we just don't need and don't use. There are also all the little fix-ups that need to be done. Which gets me to thinking - why is it that we do all these things if we think it will make our house more desirable to someone else, yet we don't do them for ourselves. After all, some of the things we are talking about doing we have been living with for years. Oh well, hopefully we will hear something soon.

Oh, another thing I have learned, I have more patience than Brian does. Several times he has wanted to call our realtor to see if she has heard anything. I told him that I am quite sure that if she had she would let us know. I really can't imagine why she wouldn't. And hounding her isn't going to make things go any faster.

Fire the Canons

While on vacation we visited the Pea Ridge National Military Park. While I don't call myself a history buff by any means, for some reason the civil war era is quite interesting to me. This is the second battle field that we have visited. Last year we went to Shiloh in Tennessee. There were not nearly as many monuments at Pea Ridge, but the film they showed was much better. There were also a lot fewer people there so we were better able to enjoy ourselves. Stephen really enjoyed it, though Skylar was more than ready to leave soon after we arrived.

Happy 4th of July

Happy birthday USA. And happy 14th anniversary to the love of my life.

Wordless Wednesday

Valentine's Day

There were no cut flowers, no chocolates, no balloons, no teddy bears - no none of the traditional gifts most people expect to get on Valentine's day. Brian has always been good at coming up with the most original gifts. I received this cute t-shirt with the Chinese symbol for love on it - personalized with our names and anniversary. He also gave me a personalized coffee cup with the symbol for eternity on it. The kids each gave me a miniture rose bush that hopefully I can keep alive long enough for spring to arrive so I can plant them outside.

I gave Brian the shelf you see behind me in the photo. My mom and dad built it to hold ALL of the cd's and dvd's that we have. The sad thing is that after loading everything in it there is only one empty shelf left. Luckily the shelves are adjustable and I have already requested a few more. The funny thing is that it has been sitting in my parents' living room where Brian has seen it almost daily as they worked on it. He never once suspected that it was for him. In fact, earlier this week he asked my mom if they could build a shelf to go on top of our entertainment center to hold our dvd's. She found that quit amusing and told him it would have to wait until they finished some other projects.

So there you have it - our Valentine's day in a nutshell. Now if I could just remember to smile when I am having my picture taken.

Have I Mentioned, I Hate Shopping

I reminded Brian yesterday just how lucky he is...his wife, unlike the majority of women, hates to shop. I have been in need of some new dress pants for work for several months, but for some strange reason I decided yesterday I was going to buy some. After three stores, I had not bought a thing...and then I remembered why I am in such need of pants. I hate to shop. Nothing fits me. I remember before I lost weight, I had this grand illusion that if I was thinner I would be able to find all kinds of cute clothes to wear. Well I was right about finding them, just not for me. The racks are full of cute clothes...just none to fit my apparently oddly-shaped body. And so I headed home, still in need of pants and even a little depressed. I know I shouldn't let it get me down but for some reason it really bothered me yesterday.

Oh - and Brian told me I didn't have to remind him how lucky he is. He realizes it every time his co-workers come in ranting and raving about how much money their wives have spend on clothes.

TSO

So tomorrow is the big day we have been looking forward to for what seems like months. I guess since we ordered tickets in September, it really has been months. Brian and I, along with Kathy, will be going to see Trans Siberian Orchestra in concert. Now if you don't know who they are, don't let the name fool you. The are definitely not your traditional orchestra. With their blend of hard rocking guitars and wild violin, along with a laser show that is one of the most amazing things I have ever seen, they are anything but traditional. We had the chance to see them last year, however because I am notoriously, cheap our seats left a lot to be desired. We were up so high, I literally got dizzy looking down, and the crew on the catwalk had to look up to see us, but we still enjoyed the show. I did concede that if we ever went to see them again that Brian got to pick the seats. So tomorrow we will enjoy the show from our 15th row floor seats. I know we won't be disappointed.

A State of Neglect

I feel like I have been neglecting my blog lately. Sure I have posted a few pictures but that's it. I could tell you how terribly busy I have been but the truth is I have just been really lazy. I have these really great posts all written in my head but by the time I sit down at the computer, I just don't feel like writing. So I won't even attempt to "catch-up", I will just try to do better.

Last Tuesday Brian and I played hooky from work - don't get the wrong idea - it was planned well in advance with all of the appropriate measures taken to get vacation days etc, but we just took the day off by ourselves. We sent the kids off to school and hit the road. We took a nice little drive down to Hot Springs. While we didn't do any of the traditional "Hot Springs" stuff while we were there, it was a very pleasant drive. We did a little shopping, had a wonderful lunch at Red Lobster, and then headed to Little Rock for more shopping. We managed to finish the majority of our Christmas shopping, on top of spending a day alone. I think we should plan to play hooky more often...

Thankful Thursday

There are so many things to be thankful for - here are just a few of mine:

• my sweet and faithful husband
• that I am finally almost over being sick
• next week is Thanksgiving and I am thankful that I will get to spend some time with all of my family - so many people don't have that opportunity
• I am off work 3 days next week
• Brian and I have finally been able to plan a day off together - just us, no kids
• the good Halloween candy is finally gone
• we found a temp for while Mel is on maternity leave
• tax class is almost over
• Skylar got her certificate for knowing all of the books of the Bible
• Stephen has stepped up his reading and is so close to his goal for AR points

For more Thankfulness head over to God is in control - NOT ME. I promise there are much more inspiring list there.

2007 Race for the Cure

Saturday my friend Kathy, my sister Julie, and I joined with close to 50,000 other participants in the annual Susan G Koman Race for the Cure in downtown Little Rock. We were cheered on by thousands of onlookers, including my hubby Brian and my son Stephen who took part this year for the first time by registering for the Three Miles of Men. And while we didn't finish in record breaking time (right at 1 hour 15 minutes), we left feeling great about our contribution to the cause of breast cancer awareness and research.

It was amazing to see that many people turn out in support of this cause. There were so many people walking in honor or in memory of someone who has fought breast cancer. I walked in honor of both my grandmother - a nearly 20 year survivor - and my mother-in-law - a 13 year survivor. It was most inspiring to see those who are currently battling this disease out there taking it one step at a time. I saw many who showed the signs of current treatment- no hair- face masks. It really made me stop and realize how truly blessed I am to be as healthy as I am.

Wordless Wednesday

BLC - my man of all seasons.

Check out more Wordless Wednesday at 5 Minutes for Mom and wordlesswednesday.com.

Tuesday Challenge

It's amazing how well things work when you actually do them right. I stayed on track for the last week, counted my points, and tracked them daily, and I am very proud to say that I am down 3.5 pounds. That puts me back at the very top of my maintenance range.

My next goal is to get back into my exercise routine. I have let that slip a little here lately. My problem is that I absolutely loathe riding my stationary bike, but it seems to be the only routine I have been able to stick to. Now that the weather is cooling off, I hope to get outside and go walking some. At least that would shake up the routine some. I guess I could drag out my real bike so I would at least feel like I am going somewhere, but I would probably be as graceful as my friend Jenny. I haven't been on that bike since I found out I was pregnant with Stephen back in 1999.

Anyway - hope everyone else over at Tales from the Scales had a good week too.

In Other News

Brian has been going to therapy for carpal tunnel as well as lower back pain. My sister starts physical therapy today for carpal tunnel as well. This got me to thinking, as much time as I spend at my computer, it is almost inevitable that some day I will develop this as well. So for a little preventative measure, I switched my mouse to my left hand. Talk about a way to really mess with your mind. Now I am left-handed, so you wouldn't think this would be such a big deal, but it is all in what you get used to. Though I do think that being a lefty makes it easier for me to adapt because most things in this world are made for right-handed folks, it is really a struggle to retrain your mind. I challenge you to try it for a day, mostly so I won't be the only one confused about right clicks and left clicks being totally backwards.

Race for the Cure

I have never been big on fundraising. I'm just no good at begging people for their hard earned money. However, I do participate in a couple of big fundraisers each year. Each spring I join together with my church family and take part in the Relay for Life, which is sponsored by the American Cancer Society. And each fall I personally take part in the Race for the Cure which raises funds for breast cancer awareness and research. I am also happy to say that Brian is supporting me this year by joining the 3 Miles of Men.

There is not one person I know that has not been touched by cancer in one way or another. My grandmother and my mother-in-law both have survived breast cancer. My father-in-law is going through chemo right now to fight lymphoma. Just this year alone, we have had a close friend diagnosed with colon cancer, church family that are battling, as well as several acquaintances that have fought this horrible disease - some are still fighting, some have claimed victory, and others have lost the battle.

So, while I won't hound you for donations, I do ask that if you feel that you would like to make a donation to help find a cure for breast cancer simply click on the pink ribbon to the left or click here to go to my personal Because I Care donation page. I truly appreciate your support!

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for:

• My children getting to enjoy their grandparents. I don't tell them enough how much I appreciate them being involved in the lives of our kids. And though they get to enjoy the grand kids a little too much at times, I hope they are thankful they are involved in the kids' lives as well.
• What Skylar is learning in preschool. She comes home everyday telling us something new. Sunday morning she just started spouting out the books of the Old Testament. She is absorbing so much.
• Stephen's outgoing personality. He has never met a stranger and goes out of his way to talk to everyone. This fact was driven home this week when he was selected to be an ambassador at school. For the rest of the semester, he has been chosen to help out any new students that transfer into his school by showing them around and just being a friend while they get adjusted.
• God's amazing ability to completely transform someone into a whole new creature -
  
  

  Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are
  passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2Cr 5:17

• My loving hubby who survived another birthday.
• Tomorrow is Friday.
• A weekend weather forecast looks wonderful. I look forward to spending some time outdoors observing some of the many miracles of God's creation. I hope to take the kids to the park and get some pictures while we are out.
• My friends who can always seem to make me laugh.

For more inspiring Thankful Thursday posts head over to Sting My Heart.

And a little update on the birthday present dilemma - the kids got Brian a couple of Christian tshirts at CBO. He acted a little surprised to get something, and he couldn't get mad at me since the kids bought them - right!?!