Images of My Life

I Can't Believe It's Been Four Years!

2010-12-09T10:33:00.000-08:00

Trent, or T$ as we like to call him, will be turning 4 Saturday... the time has flown. He's my little man now instead of my little baby.

Day 10 - Something I'm Afraid Of

2010-12-08T09:28:00.000-08:00

There aren't too terribly many things that really scare me, but I can list a few:

I am terrified of heights, but I LOVE roller coasters... weird, huh? I did face this fear one time by bungee jumping. I had to literally be pushed to jump and then I blacked out on the way down. So, I'm not sure if it really counts, but I gave myself an A for effort.

I'm scared of disappointing people - whether it's family members, coworkers, bosses, friends - whomever (or should it be whoever... I don't know). I don't like making people mad or frustrated, but I can get over it. It's when I actually hear the word "disappointed" or see the look in their eyes, it kills me. I remember when I was in 2nd grade and my dad bought me a pair of cowgirl boots for Christmas, I opened them and was a complete brat about them not being the kind that I had wanted.... I could tell he was disappointed in my reaction. That still haunts me... I'm pretty sure he's forgotten about it, though. So, we're cool.

Finally, I'm scared of mirrors in dark rooms... I blame watching too many scary movies. I also don't let my feet hang out of the covers at night because of a story I was told when I was little about a monster under my bed who will pinch my toes off. Go figure...

Spreading Christmas Cheer with Shutterfly

2010-12-02T07:01:00.000-08:00

I'm about to admit to something that most of my friends think is sinful: I've never sent out Christmas cards.

I know, I know - it's an obligation when you have a beautiful family to share them so that friends and family can hang them on mantles, refrigerators, trees or just oooh and ahhh and throw them in the trash. Who knows, some people may hang them and throw darts at them. I guess it depends on the audience.

Anyway, between birthdays and Christmas and 8,000,256 gifts to buy and 3,734 family members and friends to visit during the Holidays, it just gets to be a little bit of a hassle and an expense to do the whole Christmas card thing. BUT... (drum roll)... Shutterfly has saved the day with their 2010 Holiday Card Blog giveaway! So, now I can afford both the money (none!) and the tiny bit of time it takes to make and order cards on Shutterfly.

So, I think that you should both check out the promotion (just take a look at these adorable cards), and also look at their great gift ideas like calendars!

If you've already ordered your Christmas cards (those of you who actually think ahead!), go ahead and browse the site anyway for things like birthday invitations.

I had such a hard time choosing the cards that I liked best, but I think these three are my favorites (there were so many great ones, but I was trying to choose the ones I thought would look good with the pictures that we were able to take):

I'm leaning most toward the middle card. I think it's just so pretty! These are the pictures (out of about 100 million that we took) that I was able to salvage from our little home portrait session:

This one was actually one of my favorites... until I looked and realized that Trent was "throwing the deuces". My little gangsta.

Again, I loved this one, and then there was Trent who was constantly asking if it was over yet..

Trent was acting right this time, but Ronnie looks less than enthused.

Yay! It's Christmas time!!

Day 9 - Mis Amigos

2010-11-30T14:21:00.000-08:00

So for Day 9 of the blogging challenge, I'm supposed to post a picture of my friends... Well, that's a tough one. Not that I'm Miss Popular or anything like that, but it's just that I've had so many friends that mean so much to me. So, while I have a ton of people that I would love to list and include their pictures, there are a handful that have stood by me through some great times and some not so great times, who know enough about me to hate but still like me anyways, or who have really just withstood the test of of time.

First, there's Anisa. We met in 1st or 2nd grade (I don't remember which). If you want to know what all she means to me, refer to this post. She definitely wins the award for the most resilient friend of mine. There was never a time that we spent together that didn't result in a great story. Seriously, though, as different as we are, I know that she was put into my life to teach me so much and to make me a better person. I don't get to see her very often, but she stays near to my heart. She's a truly beautiful person - it's obvious on the outside, but her spirit shines even more.

Next, is Anisa's husband Albert (Bert to everyone else in this world). There was a time when I lost many of my good friends due to divided loyalties, but Albert had my back. He was my clown when I needed to laugh, my friend when I needed to cry, and my big brother when I needed protecting (mostly from myself). From his forcing me to watch baseball and other stuff I didn't like to our just hanging out listening to music or going to the Refuge, he was a Godsend at that point in my life.

It stinks to have to admit that when these two friends came together - while I should have been happy that my oldest and dearest friend and my current best friend had both found love - selfishly, I felt like I had lost both of them. Thank goodness, I grew up a little and was able to realize that the friendships that I had with them weren't only God's gift to me but were His way of bringing these two together (isn't it cool when you can look back and see how He started working from the beginning?). They are both very special, and I really can't think of two people who deserve each other more! (But I'm really hoping that they never compared notes on me... There is such a thing as one person just knowing too much about another).

The next friend I have to mention is Michelle. We met in college and were basically inseparable until we graduated and she had to move off for her job. She's an amazing person with more strength than anyone else I know. She now has a beautiful family of her own, and, even though I only get to see her maybe once a year, we seamlessly pick up right where we left off.

Finally, there's my boys. I won't post a picture because I don't have one that hasn't been posted on here already numerous times. They are my life now, and, honestly, the best friends I have. I can't wait to get home every night to see them and just hang out.

I thank God for these blessings - my friends :)

Day 8 - A Place I've Traveled To...

2010-11-29T13:45:00.000-08:00

I'm not exactly a jetsetter, and most of my trips haven't been to places very exotic. I've made the obligatory Destin beach trip, Gulf Shores beach trip, Disney World trip and multiple trips to Memphis, New Orleans, etc... Basically all the same places that most everyone in the South travel to that are convenient and not too tough on the wallet (well, with the exception of Disney World).

However, I did get to go to Whitefish, Montana, one summer for a mission trip when I was in high school. Whitefish is a beautiful town in and of itself, but while we were there, we got to go to Glacier National Park. That has to be the most beautiful place I've ever seen in my life. Since I didn't own a digital camera and all of my photo albums from that time are stored away in boxes that I don't want to go through, I just borrowed a picture that is similar to one that I took.

You couldn't take a picture in Glacier that didn't look like it belonged on a postcard!

So, on another note, I hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving! Mine started Wednesday and ended Saturday, but it was good to see all the family. My mom and stepdad came Wednesday night; we went to Ronnie's family's Thanksgiving Thursday, I visited with my dad and stepmom Friday, and then we all went to their house Saturday.

Thanksgiving with the Jones' side

Anyway, so now it's back to work for three weeks before another two-week break :). I'm pretty sure I can make it!

Day 7 - My Favorite Movies

2010-11-18T14:01:00.000-08:00

On a drizzly cold day like today, it would have been a prime opportunity for couch time with my favorite movies. Unfortunately, I had too much to do at work to be "sick". I actually like A LOT of movies, and I had a hard time determining which were my favorites, but I narrowed it down to the ones that I know almost every word to or can actually sing the entire soundtrack. So, here's the short list.

Random... I know. I actually had a really hard time with today's challenge. I'm sure as soon as I post this, I will change my mind.

Just in case you need a laugh today...

2010-11-16T10:03:00.000-08:00

I was watching Dancing with the Stars last night, and I noticed Trent getting a little dancy. So, I got my camera ready. Boy, am I glad I did! Make sure you have your volume turned up so you can hear the music. (And, yes, that is a batting glove on his hand. No, I have no idea why it's on there.)

Something That Makes Me Happy

2010-11-15T13:50:00.000-08:00

Ok.. after a short break (last week got really busy), I'm back with Day 6 of the Blogging Challenge: A picture of something that makes me happy.

This makes me happy:

There's nothing quite so beautiful as God's artwork, is there? This is actually the view through the windows in front of our kitchen table. The sunset makes me happy, but, even better, it makes me think of my home, which makes me the happiest of all. As much beauty as lies outside my windows, the love in our home is as beautiful as it gets (Cheesy, I know, but I'm so serious).

Speaking of love - I L-O-V-E J.J. Heller's new album When I'm With You. I absolutely fell in love with her last one Painted Red, but this new one is awesome! Here's one of my favorites (that always brings tears to my eyes).

For those of you with little ones, she has a lot of songs that she's singing to her little one(s). Here are my two faves!

When I'm With You

Keep You Safe

Hope you enjoyed! Check out the rest of her songs, too. (All I Need, Your Hands, Kingdom Come, and Painted Red are SUPER great, too...)

Happy Monday!

Day 5: My sibling

2010-11-09T06:37:00.000-08:00

I only have sibling - an older sister (she's 4 years older, but you could probably never tell because she's tiny). Her name is Brandi, and she is basically the antithesis of me. We're both short (though she has me beat at about 4'10"-4'11". She may claim 5', but don't for a second believe it), and we sound a lot alike on the phone. Other than that, though, we're just not that much alike.

The smile on Brandi's face makes me think she might be responsible for the frown on mine.

Growing up, Brandi was always the more outgoing, creative, and pretty one. I was the well-behaved, "smart" one. In actuality, Brandi is probably twice as smart as I am, she just found a few different outlets for her smarts - such as not getting caught in her mischief. She also told me that because I started out making good grades, I ruined it for myself. See, she had it all figured out that if you consistently make bad grades, no one expects too much, and you won't disappoint. She proved it to be true when she barely passed Trig (not for lack of smarts - she just didn't like it) and got an awesome graduation party because my parents were so happy that she graduated! See how smart she really is?!

I think someone should have clued me in that her chair was not built for the likes of my chubby little self. To this day, I hate being in the same picture as Brandi because the comparison ALWAYS made me look bigger than I really was.

Like all of us, Brandi's had her ups and downs, but she always came out of them with more determination and confidence than I've ever seen. We've had times we've been super close and times where we would go months without talking to each other. She's currently in Texas with her handsome family, working at a church, and looking to go back to school in Spring.

Brandi, her husband Byran, and her son Josh

This is my sister, and despite all the quarrels, "borrowed" clothes, and competitions that we kept going throughout our lives, I will forever love her and do anything in the world for her because she is the one who God gave me to share my life from the moment I was born until my life ends. We share the same parents, the same genetics (even the crazy ones), many of the same life experiences, and the same love for family. Plus, she's one of the only people in the world who can make me feel tall.

3 things...

2010-11-08T12:34:00.000-08:00

Roll Call!

Just because I'm curious - If you're reading this now, leave me a comment and let me know. Other than those who leave me comments regularly (thanks, Anisa!), I really have no idea who reads this. So, if you have time and don't mind, holla at a sista!

Blog Challenge Day #4: My Parents

Get ready because I have half a dozen - No, I mean it!

First, meet my Dad &my Stepmom, Charlie and Robin, aka Granddaddy & G:

They are complete opposites, but that seems to work so well for them! They just celebrated their 20-year-anniversary! So, yeah, Robin has been a part of the family just a little over 66% of my life. That makes her a pretty big influence. So, from them, I've learned responsibility, independence, how to fall asleep in the middle of everyone and convince them all that you were "just resting your eyes", and the importance of that occasional guilty pleasure TV show :)

Next, meet my mom & step-dad, Susan and Mike, aka MeMaw & PawPaw:

These two are so much alike, it's not funny, but that's what works for them. They are currently working on their 7th year of marriage. Mike's relatively new to the family, but he fits in just right! From these two I've learned beyond a shadow of a doubt that nothing is impossible with God on your side!

Finally, meet my Father-in-law & Mother-in-law, Glynn and Jean, aka Pop & Gran Gran:

These two took me into their family and have made me feel welcome ever since I stepped foot in their door the first time! They know what it takes to make a family work, and they know what it takes to make a family fun. They never offer me unsolicited advice (even though I'm sure there have been plenty of times when they probably really wanted to because I needed it), but they usually give pretty sound words of wisdom when I come asking! (That's right - I have in-laws I like! How cool is that?!)

So, there ya have it, I'm pretty lucky to have all these people in my life, aren't I?

My Guys

Finally, I got the camera out this weekend, and just look at how stinkin' great my guys look!

Happy Monday, y'all!

Blog Challenge Day 3: My First Love (Oh, boy!)

2010-11-05T07:09:00.000-07:00

People who know me and see that Day 3 of the Blog Challenge is "My First Love" are either laughing or shaking their heads. So, it's no big secret that I'm not exactly good in the love/relationship department. After I got my first boyfriend (Jeff Carter in 6th grade - Yes, I remember... I believe it lasted 2 whole weeks, and, no, I'm not claiming that was my first love), I was rarely without one. I had a couple of long-term boyfriends - the longest being a 4-year on-again/off-again thing with a guy from my church (who was very nice, and I liked him a lot - thought it was love, but was wrong). Long story shortened (by A LOT), I was engaged three times and married twice by the time I was 25. I had a lot to learn...

One of my favorite musicians, Jason Mraz, wrote It takes no time to fall in love, but it takes you years to know what love is. That was the problem - I kept "falling in love" without ever knowing what it means to truly love. I have said that I loved many people throughout my life - students, friends, significant others; I'm just not sure how many times I said that in the true meaning of the word.

I now know that to love someone is to love every little thing about them, to always put their needs in front of your own, to never be truly happy unless you have made them happy, to never ever settle for "good enough" when it comes to pleasing them. To truly love someone, you must constantly want to make your relationship with that person better. When you love someone, you're willing to give your last dollar, the coat off your back, or your last breath for that person. Most importantly, unless God's love is holding you together, it's not love.

It took me multiple tries to finally figure out that I was the problem. I had no idea what it meant to love someone. It took God completely breaking me and allowing others to build me up to help me realize that without a relationship with Him, there could be no true love in my life. So, after He finally got through this hard head of mine, he gave me my very first true love, Ronnie. Then he gave me Carter Lane, and then Trent. I love them more each day and would gladly give everything I have in order to make any one of them happy.

So, here are my very first real true loves (make sure your speakers are on b/c it has a great song on it, too):

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Happy Friday!!

Blog Challenge: Day 2

2010-11-04T07:14:00.000-07:00

Day 2: What's the meaning behind your blog name?

Well, I'm not extremely creative so it's kind of self-explanatory. Basically, my blog is just a way for me to share glimpses from my everyday (or once every 2 months) life - pictures, funny little stories, or just something that struck me as meaningful for one reason or another. So "Images of My Life" is exactly what you get.

On a side note - how was your Halloween? We were Spiderman (again) this year. I did tell him that he couldn't be the "red and blue" Spiderman again so we were "sweet black" Spiderman. (Apparently, "scary black" Spiderman has fangs, just in case you weren't up on all the Spiderman goings-on).

We went to one of my friends' house, and I told him to show her his muscles (speaking of the ones built into the costume). I continued to talk, and the next thing I knew, Trent was stripped down to his underwear flexing and showing everybody his "situtation". Good times!

Basketball season for Carter Lane begins tonight with a game against Heritage. They don't actually have a coach yet because the basketball coach is also the assistant coach for football, and they're going to the playoffs. So, the girls' coach is filling in for the boys' coach right now. Carter Lane's a little concerned because they don't have any plays ready. I told him just to scream random phrases like "Your Mom" or "Cutie Patootie" like they're calling plays and then run really quickly against the opponents while they are still in shock. Don't know if that will work - If it does, maybe they'll ask me to coach...

Going for a 3-pointer last year

Anyway, hope you all have a great Thursday!!

Since all the cool kids are doing it...

2010-11-03T10:06:00.000-07:00

That's right, I'm talking about the 30 Day Blog Challenge that everyone's doing. I know I've been neglecting my blog (again) lately. So, I thought it might be fun to try. Let's hope that I'm more successful than the previous 30 Day Shred challenge - Otherwise, I won't get past Day 6. (Just in case you were wondering how my resolutions ended up - I did manage to stay out of Dirt Cheap for a month, but that was the only success I had).

So, here it goes: Day 1: Introduce yourself, include a picture, and list 15 interesting facts about yourself.

Hi, I'm Julie... (Ok, so I'm not sure what more an introduction would consist of - especially since I'm about to reveal 15 random facts. So, we'll just leave it at that. As far as I know, anyone who actually takes the time to read this blog knows me anyway.)

That's the most recent picture I have of myself... I'm not big on having my picture taken (the only picture I've ever really liked of myself was on my first driver's license. I don't have it anymore). But I guess, with the exception of the weird face I was making when Ronnie took that picture, it pretty much looks like me. So, it'll do.

Ok, here it goes, 15 facts about moi:

Despite my impressive use of it in the previous statement, I do not actually speak French. I only know some Spanish - basically enough to get me to a bathroom or library or let you know that any household pet is on fire. Ya know, basic survival Spanish.
I am 1/16th (I think) Native American. Since I have light hair (not at the moment, but I'm talking naturally), pale skin, blue eyes, no sense of direction, and absolutely no physical prowess, one would probably never guess. However, I read one time that Native Americans picked up a lot of things with their feet since they were often carrying large amounts of stuff in their hands while gathering, and I can spread my toes really far apart and pick things up easily with my feet (even though I fall down due to lack of any kind of balance or coordination). So, I guess I did inherit something.
I LOVE music.... lots of different kinds of music. I can't peg one genre that I like the best. I've just found that there's a song for every mood and every emotion that I've ever felt, and that's so stinking cool. Please don't ever make me name my favorite song - you will get a list a mile long. I just can't do it... I hope that's not one of the days for this challenge. Maybe I should have read ahead.
I'm a hypochondriac. Seriously. My friends at work have banned me from WebMD. I have diagnosed myself with ~~nearly~~ every disorder known to mankind. I recently attended an ADHD conference that also dealt with the common comorbidities (I hate that word - it's sounds so, well, morbid). I returned from it convinced that I have ADHD, Depression, Anxiety Disorder, possibly Bipolar, with a touch of Asperger's. That's in addition to the melanoma, gout, and early onset menopause with which I had diagnosed myself before we went to the conference. My friends seem to think I have nothing that a few days in a padded cell might not cure.
I record shows on my DVR that I'm embarassed to let anyone know I watch. (That's right people, we're getting into the deep, dark secrets here). On the living room TV that everyone sees, I record the good ones like The Office, The Biggest Loser, Outsourced, The Next Iron Chef etc. However, in my room, is the list that only I see (and Ronnie if he gets bored, but even he's so embarrassed by the list that he rarely pulls it up). It has included Jerseylicious, Dancing with the Stars, Tough Love, Rob & Big, Dating in the Dark, Melissa & Joey, iCarly, and Hannah Montana Forever. It also has Super Hero Squad, but that's for Trent, I swear! I'm a dork - I know.
I wear heels nearly everyday just so I don't have to hem pants.
I don't like talking on the phone, and will frequently "not hear" my phone ringing in the hopes that the person calling me will just text instead. I will spend 2 hours texting someone back and forth rather than hold a 5-minute conversation. I have no idea why I'm like this.
I often do a weird thing with my eyes where they kinda roll upward and the eyelashes flutter (it apparently looks like I'm doing a very dramatic eye roll), and I have no idea when I do it. I guess it's kinda like a tic (Yes, I might possibly have Tourette's as well... when I get away from the people at work, I will look it up on WebMD and see what other symptoms I have). I think I've offended a few people with this eye roll thing, and if I've ever done it to one of you, I'm so sorry! I swear I have absolutely no idea when or why it happens.
I love scary movies - not blood and guts, kill everybody around movies - the ones that get into your head and REALLY scare you. Suspense movies, ghost stories, etc. However, I also let these movies freak me out and still refuse to face a mirror in a dark room. (That's just scary!)
When I get bored, I count things - bricks in my office, tiles on the floor, the number of lines on a piece of lined paper, number of books on a bookshelf, etc. I then have to go back and count from the other way (top to bottom vs. bottom to top, left to right vs. right to left, etc.) to make sure that I counted correctly the first time. (You're right, I'm adding OCD to my list, too). I don't freak out or anything if I get interrupted, but I will start over the next time I start tuning out.
My real name is not Julie, it's Julia... I don't like being called Julia because it makes me think I've done something wrong because - just like every other mom in the world - when I got into trouble, my mom would yell my proper name "Julia Susanne!", and that meant I ~~took off running~~ was in trouble.
I am not name after the Sugarbakers... It's just coincidence. I'm named after my great-grandmother, my mom, and my aunt (Julia, Susan, and Patsy Anne).
I don't wear a watch. I went to a retreat when I was in college, and, as part of the experience, they took your watch. I haven't put one on since. However, I have to pull my cell phone out whenever I want to see what time it is, and that's distracting when I'm observing or teaching anything. So, I might need to reconsider this whole watch thing.
I am a proud Mississippi State Bulldog! (That's right, #20 this week!) I am not a fair weather fan and have claimed them through every loss, too, but I love the fact that we're doing well right now! We had ~~a few~~ several rough years, but we've figured it out. In the words of the great Christopher Walken, we need MORE COWBELL!
I have a celebrity doppleganger (No, I didn't get that from WebMD - it's not a disease, it's a look alike).

That's not her...

That's her - Elizabeth McGovern. She's not a huge celebrity, but she's been in a couple of movies.

Ok... so there are more random facts than anyone ever cared to know about me. I will try to actually complete this 30 day challenge - it won't be in done in 30 days, but it might be 30 days worth of stuff :).

Update

2010-09-02T06:06:00.000-07:00

What I would like to say:
Dear loyal readers, I am now on Day 8 of the 30 Day Shred, and it's going marvelously. I can do 50 plank-style push ups without a break and barely even sweat throughout level one's workout. I can't wait to get to level 2 so I can begin to feel challenged. I've dropped 5 lbs so far and see the muscles bulging in arms and the 6-pack starting to form in my abs.. I'm amazing!

What I will tell you because I'm not a big liar:
I stink at keeping resolutions!!

We'll start with the positive - I have not entered a Dirt Cheap store! Even when I have gotten the emails telling me that they just got in a huge shipment of name brand dresses and clothes... Yes, even when I got the email about wall hangings when my walls at home are bare (not because I don't have stuff to hang, just because I'm not sure where everything needs to go). So, yay! I'm going ok one resolution... but THAT'S IT!

The 30 Day Shred.... I really think it can keep its promise to buff me up if I will just stick with it... However, after Day 2 (last week), I had a minor injury (not directly related to The Shred), but it put me out of high impact jumping around (aka cardio) for a couple of days. So, then I got on it again. After Day 5, I woke up yesterday feeling like poop... I think it's just a sinus infection. Anyway, with the headache, sore throat and fever, I just didn't feel like it. And this morning - well, I'm not going to lie - my bed just felt too darn good to get out of it! So, I thought to myself, "Self, we'll just have to make this up this evening." Self agreed and happily hit the snooze button again on the alarm. Apparently I and self both forgot that we have to be out of town this evening for a JV football game. ARGH! So, it will probably take me no less than 50 days to get through the 30 Day Shred, and I'm not sure how effective it will be when it lacks consistency, but, darnit!, I will make it!

And I love food... ~~perhaps~~ too much... that's all I have to say about that.

Anyway, to leave you all with a laugh for today - this is my son dancing around to a song he made up called "Spidey in his tighty whities." I wish I had hit video instead, but you get the drift. Happy Thursday!

Days 1 & 2 of The Shred

2010-08-26T06:46:00.000-07:00

I was so pumped up by my making official the commitment to do the The 30 Day Shred that I went home yesterday after work and completed the first day of workout before heading to church.... I learned several things about myself:

Since I had to take pre-measurements and photos to determine if this really works, I was forced to look at the pictures and numbers.... I've been so excited about losing weight, I paid absolutely no attention to the fact that thinner does not equal non-squishy! I am down to college weight, but I am a far cry from college shape! Let's just throw the words muffin top and UADD ("under arm dingle dangle" as termed by my friend Anisa back in the day when it was just something that our grumpy old teachers had to worry about) out there... that should explain the trauma I had to work through before actually beginning the workout.
There are several exercises wherein Jillian is adamant that correct form be used. So, I completed the workout in front of a full-length mirror. Since I was the only one at home at this time, and we turn our AC to high temps during the day trying to save on electricity, I decided it was ok to work out in a sports bra and running shorts. This was an eye-opening experience to say the least. Not only did I have terrible form initially on all the exercises, but there's a lot more jiggle to my wiggle than I actually knew about.... Needless to say, when I completed Day 2 this morning, I was fully clothed to save myself the embarassment.
I have ZERO upper body strength! You would think carrying around a 30-something pound toddler everyday would leave me with some sort of respectable strength, but nope. I was able to complete 5 standard pushups before I gave into the modified (what I call "girly") pushups. I was only able to complete about 25 of those! Jillian, you have your work cut out for you!
Soup cans do not make good weight substitutes... They are too big, and they don't weigh enough. It's not that they didn't give me more of a workout than I could actually handle. It's just that when I'm complaining about how sore I am and how tough the workouts are, and people ask me how much weight I'm using, I want to be able to say "5 lbs." or "10 lbs", not 18.6 fluid ounces of Bacon Potato.
I hate squats.
Working out at 4:50 pm last night and 4:50 am this morning were 2 completely different experiences!

So, last night at church, stairs were a little difficult and the handbells seemed about 5 lbs heavier than usual. This morning, I was able to make it upstairs to wake up Carter Lane, downstairs in heels was a little more difficult, but I made it. However, my upper body, especially my shoulders, are so sore. So, yeah, Level 1 with modified moves, and I'm halfway to a wreck - I'm out of shape!

We have Carter Lane's first real (not counting the Jamboree) football game for the season tonight against Starkville Academy. He says he's excited, but I see nerves. They have a bandit game (7th & 8th grade) beforehand, but he's supposed to get play in the JV game, and I think he's nervous about how much harder they hit in those games than in the bandit games. So, here's to hoping that he comes out of it with no broken bones or permanent damage... and, hey, maybe even a win :)

Summer Resolutions

2010-08-25T06:45:00.000-07:00

I don't know why August is always so stressful. Maybe it's because I'm in the Education field, and, even though I work year-round, August just brings a whole pile of new work. Maybe it's because Carter Lane goes back to school and has football practice until at least 6:00 pm (both JV and Varsity since he manages), homework, tests, etc. Maybe it's because it's been 267 degrees this month and the heat makes me exhausted. Maybe, just maybe, it's because I'm just high-strung by nature.. who knows? I have, however, handled the stress ok this time around. However, I have made a few resolutions that I'm posting on here in the hopes of my promising updates will actually hold me accountable to the things that I'm saying.

So, starting sometime (let's just go ahead and be optimistic and say tomorrow), I will:

Begin (and work through to completion) the 30 Day Shred

No, I don't think that I will lose up to or anywhere close to 20 lbs in 30 days. However, I am hoping that I can tone up some of the jiggly parts (Or at least convince myself that I have). It's a workout regime composed of 3 levels. I'm supposed to spend 10 days on Level 1 (which I have done before, and it seriously kicks my tail, even with the modified moves) and then 10 days on Level 2, followed by 10 days on Level 3 (that I've read is darn near to awful). I will probably take before and after pictures, but I make no promises to share unless I see some MAJOR results.

Not enter one of my favorite places for a whole month:

I know a lot of people are not Dirt Cheap fans... It used to give me panic attacks, too, when I walked in and there was no rhymoe nor reason to anything. However, I have found that if you have the time the desire, and a portable container of hand sanitizer, you can actually find some really good stuff. At least 10-15 items in my wardrobe have come from here (I probably shouldn't admit it, but I'm actually proud because I LOVE a good deal.) such as the sweater I'm wearing today (the picture doesn't show how cute it really is.. I love it!) that I purchased for $3:

Actually finish a Bible study:

I do ok on my quick daily devotional, but I often let Bible Studies fall behind everything else in my life (definitely not something I'm proud of). My church is currently doing the video series and workbook on Lord, Change My Attitude, but I have handbell practice while the study is going on. So, I have just picked up the workbook and am going through it with a couple of friends, and just the first week was amazing and changed the way I thought about my words, actions, and thoughts. I am going to finish this study, and hopefully let it change the way I am rather than just the way I think. I will share some of my thoughts and revelations throughout, but I would recommend anyone looking into this study, just for the little bit that I've already experienced!! (Not to ruin it for you, but the first week is on complaining, and I, first, never realized how much of a complainer I am, and, second, never thought about how it impacts other people and, more importantly, how it impacts my relationship with God. - You're curious now, aren't you?)

Finally, to NOT gain back all the weight that I lost on Weight Watchers:
I know that I've talked about it before (multiple times), but Weight Watchers really works when one is dedicated and using will power. However, I am the worst about reaching my goal and then thinking (erroneously) that I can eat like I was eating before WW and still look like I do post WW. Ultimately, I lost a total of 40 lbs on WW just by changing my eating habits ( I understand that you're supposed to mix some exercise in there, too, but I didn't do it... That's why I need to tone - see Resolution numero uno). To give you some perspective, I have found similar pictures of pre-WW Julie and post-WW Julie.

PRE (Obviously)

POST

(So you can kinda see why I would like to not have to go through all of this again. )

Anyway, so those are my resolutions... I truly intend on keeping them! Any words of encouragement or wisdom will be welcomed :)

I hope everyone has a great rest of the week!

What's New?

2010-08-17T06:38:00.000-07:00

So, it's been forever since I've posted... Life just gets busy sometimes, ya know?

So, in the last month I've done music for an Emmaus Walk (truly awesome experience... just built on what I learned on my Walk), managed to reach my goal weight for Weight Watchers (and am just 5 lbs from driver's license weight....wooohooo!!), started a new school year, and added to our family (don't get too excited, we just got a new dog).

This is Lil Bit, our new Maltipoo (doesn't shed which means she can hang out in the house without making the boys sneeze like crazy). She's a doll!

This is Trent in his new Buzz Lightyear costume. He adores dressing up as super heroes, policemen, knights, etc... We've gotten a few costume catalogues in the mail recently, and you would think that we were gearing up for Christmas... He spends hours looking through the catalogues, pointing out every costume he needs (not wants, needs!).

I was also invited to become a part of a small group Bible Study (what a blessing!), and we're going through James McDonald's Lord, Change My Attitude (my toes are so sore from being stepped on over and over). So, while I am making a conscious attempt to refrain from complaining (never realized how much I actually complain, it was scary!), I will say that we are trying not to melt and that, while I am not a huge fan of my arms (thank you, UADD), I have never been a bigger fan of dressy tops without sleeves :).

I hope everyone's August has started out well!

Great Weekend!

2010-07-06T08:57:00.000-07:00

The bad thing about a long weekend is that right when you get used to spending all the time with your family, it's time to go back to work again, but we had a great weekend!

Friday night, Carter Lane went with his Gran (Ronnie's mom) to see his cousins. So, I cheated and just ordered pizza for supper. We let Trent sit at the coffee table to eat his pizza. So, he pulled his little chair up to it, and was trying his best to pull the coffee table closer to him. It was just a little too heavy, and his hands slipped. About that time, he exclaimed, "D**n!" I looked at him all crazy and asked what he said. He looked up at me with those big brown eyes, and said, "Aww, you know, Mom... just telling you what a beaver lives in." At that point, my three-year-old had me.. All I could say was, "Ok, well let's call it a Beaver House from now on..."

Saturday morning, we went got up to make pancakes and eggs for breakfast. After eating, we went out to the garden to see if there were any veggies ready for the picking. I gather some squash while Trent played in the dirt. Then, I spotted an eggplant that was ready. So, I went to pick it. Just in case you didn't know (and I keep forgetting), eggplants stems have these little thorns on them. So, I yelled "Ouch!" to which my darling little man replied, "You dummy!" Now, I can't think of one rational explanation for why he would be calling me a dummy. So, I said, "Excuse me?" Without missing a beat, Trent said, "I was talking to this stupid tomato plant that keeps getting in my way."

Now, it's not the fact that he's saying inappropriate things that has me worried... most kids at his age start doing that kind of thing. It's the fact that he can rationalize it all right there on the spot. I have a feeling we're in for it with this child...

Saturday evening, we headed to Ronnie's parents' house to play with the cousins (Ronnie's sister's children). The celebration lasted all the way to Sunday night. We had a great time!!

There was lots of Ping Pong to be played!

Trent and his boy cousins ready to celebrate!

Carter Lane started with sparklers but quickly moved on to bigger explosions

Trent wa happy just playing in the dirt all day

Ronnie trying to show the kids how it's done

Trent really liked the Party Poppers

All the cousins before everyone started playing after church

My fam :) (Everyone's even almost smiling!)

Yesterday, Trent and I went to my mom and step-dad's house to visit, and then we went to see Toy Story 3 (which was good but had some parts that were a little intense for a 3-year-old.) We had a great time together, though! Trent even got some new shoes, which he kept calling his "fly kicks"... I have no idea...

Trent and his Memaw

Trent and PawPaw

Trent after the weekend of festivities... He said "Even Batman gets tired, Mama"

Happy Independence Day!

2010-07-02T06:46:00.000-07:00

In our nation right now, there are natural disasters, man-made tragedies, and nation-wide debates and disagreements. On this Independence Day, while we are far from a perfect country, it is necessary to realize that we have people willing to provide assistance through the natural disasters, volunteers and scientists fighting to stop and right the man-made tragedies, and soldiers and their families sacrificing in order that we have the right to state our opinions.

So, on Sunday, I will be thanking God that I can worship Him freely in the morning, spend time with my family in the afternoon, and put my children to bed in the evening without having to fear what lingers outside the doors of our house.

Thank you, God, for our land. Thank you, forefathers, for our liberty. And thank you, soldiers and veterans, for the protection of both.

Everyone have a happy and safe 4th of July!

Good news, Mississippi!

2010-07-01T10:28:00.000-07:00

When I heard that someone from Starkville, my hometown, was going to be on MTV's the Real World, I was really curious... so, I had to watch. I found that it was Jemmye, who is actually from Aberdeen, and just lives in Starkville:

She starts off by giving a disclaimer to the effect of just because she's from a small town in Mississippi doesn't mean that she's a conservative Christian "good girl". I am so glad that she went ahead and took it upon herself to break all the stereotypes for Mississippi... because when people think of our state, the first things they think of are our politics and morals, right?

Jemmye (whose name, I think, already addresses our high scores in literacy), went on to exhibit all the positive things about our state, like how we can make the words "fish tank" stretch into four or five syllable and how we, as Southern women, just become poignantly more loud and annoying as time goes on. Add to this the fact that Jemmye has an obsession with her "stripper heels", can eat a crawfish from a stranger's fingers in a way that is almost X-rated, and has to be right in the middle of all the drama while dressed in as little as possible, and I think we have one fine example of our state on TV.

So, thank you, Jemmye, for clearing the way for all of us in Mississippi... We can hold our heads up high knowing that you are a representative for us.

As for the rest of the cast, for the most part they are the typical dysfunctional mix that guarantees at least a few blow-ups each episode, namely Ryan - the metrosexual emotional roller coaster. However, there is Sahar, who seems extraordinarily normal and well-grounded.... Maybe she's just holding back.

On a completely unrelated note - this really made me laugh today. I want to be this awesome when I'm old!

I don't know which is funnier, the old man or the guy in capris and ankle socks :)

I'm just not that into it....

2010-06-29T12:27:00.000-07:00

Before I make someone mad, let me preface this post with the fact that, along with every preteen girl, I absolutely was obsessed with the Twilight saga. I read the books in record time and had difficulty waiting on the new ones to come out. So, yes, I'm a fan.

However, am I the only person not willing to give up my beauty rest in order to be one of the first to see Eclipse? I think every girl and woman I know is going to the midnight showing... They must be showing it in every theater of our tiny little cinema because I know that all the people who have a ticket cannot possible fit into one. (Lane even asked if he could go with a friend... using the excuse that his friend was having to go with his mom and sister and that Lane didn't want his buddy to have to be the only boy - what a sweetheart, right?) Poor guy isn't getting to go, though, because I, being the wicked step-mother, didn't think getting in at 3:00 am and going to 6:45 am football practice mixed well.

Honestly, I'm just not into the movies that much (Glad no one can throw anything at me for saying that)... Throughout the books, I was 100% Team Edward. However, the Edward in my head didn't look like an elf on pot...

And the Jacob in my head, sure didn't look like this:

But it's not just about that because... while Taylor Lautner is attractive, I can't get it out of my head that he's Sharkboy

So, to find him "HAWT" is just not possible for me.

It all comes down to the fact that the movies just don't have the certain something that the books did to make you feel like you're part of the story, and that's what I loved most about reading the books.

So, no, I won't be going to the movies at midnight to see what happens with Bella, Jacob, and Edward. I assure you, though, that I will watch the movie... hopefully before it leaves theaters, but after all the screaming teens have seen it (Gosh, I'm getting old).

Who all is going tonight?

Other people's pain

2010-06-24T06:17:00.000-07:00

I am not one to laugh at others' pain regularly. However, I can't help it sometimes...

My whole family LOVES Wipeout... Trent really thinks it's hilarious. Though he spends much of the time telling me how "that boy's mama is gonna get on to him!" for every time the announcer says "butt".

I think everyone should at least give Wipeout a try... you all know that your regular shows are off-season right now, anyway :)

Have a great day!

Happy Birthday, Friend!

2010-06-22T12:13:00.000-07:00

I've known this girl over 20 years now... We've been acquaintances. We've been school mates. We've been inseparable. We've been completely separated. We've laughed together, cried together, gone our separate ways, and then caught up together.

There are two songs that always remind me of her:

You know, you have those friends who are in your life for a season, and when that season is over, your life is better for knowing them. Well, she's one of those friends who comes into your life and changes the way you see things forever so that, even when she's nowhere near and you haven't talked in a while, you are regularly reminded of her.

There's so much that I can say about her. She's taught me:

The importance of agreeing to disagree
How to respect others' beliefs while growing even more in my own
It's ok to get your heart broken because you won't find your fairy tale if you don't at least put your heart out there.
Dreams are worth chasing.
No one should ever settle for anything but hold out for the best.
Love isn't love unless it consumes you
Family is more important than any other earthly thing
There are some risks worth taking, even if they seem impossible.
Pink is an awesome color
To laugh at myself more and find humor in everyday life
Imagination should not be reserved exclusively for children
True beauty cannot be judged by pictures or magazines but only by those who know everything about you.
I'm not always right (Ok... so I've learned that from a lot of people, but I'm sure she was one of the first)
You never truly appreciate anyone until you've spent some time without them
I had pretty good taste in friends in 1st grade.

So... to my friend whom I miss dearly and will always love:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, NINA! I LOVE YOU!

(I like your sneakers)

Happy Summer!!

2010-06-21T12:22:00.000-07:00

Happy 1st day of summer! If you're in the South like me, summer didn't wait its turn to come around. It's been 2890498 degrees here for a few weeks, not counting the heat index from the humidity.... (only a slight exaggeration).

I hope everyone had a great weekend, and a happy Father's Day! We had a great one! It was just a little busy, but they all are!

Friday, Trent got to meet his cousin's kitten. He fell in love immediately (I can't say the same for the kitten). Trent kept telling me the kitten was playing tag and hide and seek... I informed Trent that I was pretty sure the kitten just wanted to hide without being sought.

Saturday, we went to see my mom who is in the hospital from having a knee replacement. She's doing great, and Trent loved going and pushing the buttons on her bed and raiding the gody baskets that friends had sent for her. We then went to Harvey's for a Father's Day supper... It was "deeeeee-licious"!

Sunday, we went to church. I sang a solo, which I've done before. For some reason, though, I was much much more nervous, and I'm pretty sure it was obvious. It didn't go terribly, just not as well as I would have liked. After church, and eating lunch with Ronnie's parents, we went to the river with some friends. Ronnie skiied; I kneeboarded, and Trent rode on the innertube (with Ronnie, of course). He had a blast!!

We were ALL beat last night, but we were up and at 'em early this morning for Trent's first day of Vacation Bible School. He has been so stinking excited for a week now!! It didn't start until 8. So, Trent had to come to work with me until then. I walked out of my office for about 2 minutes, and found this when I came back in:

He said he was "working". Well, VBS time finally rolled around, and he was all smiles all the way there! He was still smiling when I went back to get him after it was all over. He can't wait for tomorrow! VBS got two thumbs-up!

The most fantastic man I know...

2010-06-18T09:33:00.000-07:00

When I met Ronnie, I had been told many things about him. He was quiet. He was nice. He was very involved with his church. He was previously married. He was thin. He was cute....

I had also been told that he was a dad...

In fact, on our first date, as soon as we left the restaurant, he asked if I minded if we ran by Wal-Mart so that he could pick up some stuff for an outing he had planned with his son the next day.

On our second date, he opened up to me about his son, and when he talked about Carter Lane, his eyes filled with tears - not tears of sorrow... he just loved that little boy so much.

It was two weeks before we got to go on a third date because he was taking his son to Atlanta to go to a Braves game.

On our third date, I got to meet his son - who made a trampoline out of the booth at the Chinese restaurant that he picked out. Carter Lane bounced, and I nervously fidgeted with my napkin. Ronnie put everyone at ease with his jokes and his smile.

A little over two years later, we welcomed a new face into the world. I was nervous for so many reasons. Ronnie handled it all like a pro, soothing my fears, reassuring Carter Lane of his love for him, and calming even the worst of fits with Trent. He got up at night when I was just too tired. He took Carter Lane on boys nights out when he was feeling left out, and he gave Trent all the love and attention a baby could ever need - never making one of us feel less important than the other.

He's consistently been the rock upon which I lean, the role model by which I parent, and the shoulder upon which I cry when life has overwhelmed me. Each day, he makes time for God in the morning before work and time for his family in the evening after he has spent no less than 12 hours at his job.

He never asks for time to himself. He never denies any of us his attention, even at the most inopportune times. In fact, I have never once know Ronnie to put himself before anyone else.

God's love shines through his heart and through his eyes (and through his smile - but you have to be a magician to ever catch one of those in a picture).

So, to a true gentleman, family man, Godly man, and over all great man, I wish a Happy Father's Day! We not only celebrate you, but we thank God for blessing us with your love and your life.

Happy Father's Day, Ronnie!

Love/Hate Relationship

2010-06-17T08:59:00.000-07:00

I made mention the other day that I had lost 10% of my body weight and then lost 15 lbs. on Weight Watchers (I'm really proud of this, no doubt)... However, I am definitely developing a Love/Hate relationship with this whole Points System (for those who don't know, you're allotted so many points per day based upon your height, weight, activity level, etc). This will demonstrate:

HATE list:

Each time you go down to the next 10-lb. category, you lose a point. For example, when I went from 130 lbs. into the 120's, I lost a point.... So, you're all "YAY! I'm in the 120's!! Oh SNAP, I only get 17 points!" It's really a bittersweet feeling....
Chicken McNuggets don't fit well in the equation unless it's the 4-pack, which really is just enough to make you mad.
It's really cut into my whole comfort-food habit (which, yeah, I know, that's the whole point.... But I REALLY love food, for real.) Now when I look at a bowl of Chicken and Dumplings with a nice warm slice of cornbread and huge glass of sweet tea, instead of getting that warm, fuzzy feeling that I loved so much, I immediately start trying to figure out how much butter and fat went into the whole thing.

LOVE list:

I've lost over 15 lbs! yeah, that's pretty much it...

I mean it's really not THAT bad... I get to eat normal food for the most part (just in a lot smaller portions than previously). Here's an example of a typical day for me:

BREAKFAST

These are THE BEST!! And because of all the fiber, they do a great job of helping me to feel fuller longer. However, though I've had no adverse reactions, through research with friends, I've found that those who react typically to fiber may need to eat these in the privacy of their own home. (Consider yourself warned).

LUNCH

These are really yummy, and I love that I can eat 4 for only 5 points! It kinda makes me feel like I'm being a pig without all the guilt. Plus, it's only 1:45 in the microwave... How easy! (and cheap, too)

McDonald's Chicken Caesar Salad! It is really good, especially for a fast food salad (even though Ronnie swears that there are Oak leaves in it). It's only 4 points without dressing... or you can add Newman's Own Low-fat Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing (yummmmm) for only one more point. Again, a lot of fiber... so you feel full for a while!

SUPPER

Chicken sauteed with summer squash and/or zucchini put into some marinara and then poured over some whole wheat thin spaghetti... Even the boys like it! It usually even leaves me with enough points to eat either a crescent roll or some garlic bread, which makes me SOO happy!

SNACKS (of course!)

These are the 100 calorie version of Girl Scouts' Thin Mints. I LOVE them! The only complaint I have heard from people is that they want to eat about 3 packs instead of just one.. But, of course, if you think about the last time you ate some thin mints, you ate the whole roll, didn't you? (Don't lie... I know better).

Ok... so, yeah, maybe I do sort of have a girl scout theme going on, but I love the shortbread cookies, too.. It seems like there are more cookies in these packs. So, they help out a little more when I'm having a craving...

So, that's my typical day on WW.... And I'm sure there are people out there yelling at me right now about a couple of things I haven't mentioned:

You get 35 "weekly points", I call them screw up points. The reasoning behind them is so that you have a little more flexibility with either indulging a little bit each day (going just a few points over your allotment) or indulging big one day (you know, birthday/wedding cakes, etc.). However, I see them fitting in on those days when I know I've screwed up the whole diet thing and I usually quit on other diets... The fact that I'm allowed to mess up keeps me going... I usually end up saving them for Sundays when my in-laws cook a huge great lunch after church. Honestly, though, I try not to use many at all... I still feel like it's cheating
You get points for activity! YAY! - Except I'm lazy and don't exercise regularly at all... So, really, this doesn't help... However, I did get 3 points for shopping all day once :)

Anyway, so, that was a pointless post, but it helped me get through this horrible craving I'm having right now for something terrible for me... THANKS! :)

Fail

2010-06-15T09:39:00.000-07:00

So, I've been trying to figure out how to post from my phone... The concept seems pretty easy, but it's giving me a really hard time. Surely it's not user error... right? (Fail)

I weighed in this morning for WW - not only did I reach my 10% weight loss, but I also reached 15 lbs lost (just 5 more to go until goal!). So, of course, I went and got this healthy breakfast (Fail!) No lunch for me!!

I had to go to a workshop most of last week, and I had Trent's ENT check up appointment for this Monday written on my calendar at work. So, I told everyone to remind me about it. I put a reminder in my phone. I even told Trent to remind me... So, I show up in Starkville at 7:45 am Monday morning (appointment was scheduled for 7:50.. so I was even early). They were closed... until NEXT week!! I don't know if they told me the wrong date or if I just mixed my Mondays up or what... (Fail)

However, we did get to run to Lowe's for a minute (Trent loves the blue racecar buggies) and Trent got to see his Grandaddy and even sit in the Sheriff's car with the "blue lights" - I didn't even think of getting a picture of it (Fail).

All of the excitement of not having to go to the doctor, the racecar buggy, and the bluelights wore poor Trent out:

And, just in case you were wondering - Yes, that is the seat of my Swagger Wagon. Yes, we've resorted to mini-vandom. And, yes, I will admit that I'm in love with it! So, go ahead and deduct a few cool points from me. I'll survive. Plus, can you fit eight people and 24 drinks comfortably in your car? I didn't think so...

Trent has figured out a few things as of late...

Boys don't have to wear shirts (nor does he think that he has to wear pants while he's at home... I'm not sure where he got this idea).

Roller coasters are super cool and fun! (He's on the front with Carter Lane... he rode about a kajillion times)

And he informed me last night of something I never would have guessed... He said, "Mom, you're the best mom in the whole wide world." Choked up, I asked him how he knew that... "Mom, I just know." I hugged him so tight, and he looked up at me with those adoring brown eyes and said, "So, NOW I can sleep in your bed, right?"

I'm Baaack

2010-06-04T06:23:00.000-07:00

So, I decided to look at the old blog and figured out that it has been 1.5 years since I've posted anything (Which means that probaly no one will ever figure out that I posted this). I guess between life and Facebook, I've just not felt the need to post. However, I kinda miss writing, keeping up with people, and posting pictures. So, here's an attempt to resurrect this old thing.

There are updates, of course...

According to the last post, Trent had just turned two. He's now three going on fifteen.

Carter Lane is now 13, towers over me, and is teaching me all kinds of things I had completely forgotten about being a teenager..

Ronnie is still putting up with me after 5 years (amazing!), and I'm working back in Louisville as a Positive Behavior Specialist (loving it!). So, all in all, life is good!

If you read this, let me know that anyone even still gets updates :)

Where did the time go?!?

2008-12-11T08:51:00.000-08:00

My baby turns 2 today!

I don't know how the time has passed so quickly or how he has grown up so fast, but he's there... definitely in the "Terrible Two's" where he knows the word NO and exercises his right to use it readily... What I love the most is when he comes to hug me and tells me, "Mommy, I love you too much!"

I just can't believe how much he's changed over the past 2 years...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TRENT! I LOVE YOU!!

Hello!

2008-11-04T11:45:00.000-08:00

It has been NUTS around here... The therapist at work has quit, and I have been taking over until we get a new one (middle of this month). In other words, I'm actually earning my paycheck now :) So, I haven't had a lot of time to post, though I have kept up with most of my blogger friends.

Anyway, so you know that I have to post some pictures from Halloween :)

Pirate posin'

Argh, Matey!

The boys... aren't they handsome :)

Trent hasn't quite mastered the idea of Big Boy underwear

But he sure has fun :)

Anyway, yeah, so they're both getting so big! Lane has a girlfriend that he calls "Baby" when he sends her text messages, and Trent will be 2 next month. He told me the other day that he kissed Brooklyn in church! Boys, boys, boys... I bet I will start growing gray hairs soon! (I may have already, but I would never know).

I don't care how much you hate Barney...

2008-09-05T08:50:00.000-07:00

This will still make you smile :) (or maybe I'm just biased)

Play Time!

2008-07-25T07:26:00.000-07:00

Last night, Lane, Trent, and I drove up to find this in our backyard.

Trent couldn't believe how big it was.

The boys couldn't wait to get on it.

I tried to get them both in a cute picture, but Trent just wanted to get back on the "Lide".

Lane was like a monkey crawling all over it.

Trent loved the slide and thought he was a big boy for being able to go down it himself.

He always landed on the grass with a thud, but he still had the best time.

Obviously, his stitches aren't phasing him one bit. His eye is a little bruised today, but it's still nowhere near where I thought it would be as far as a black eye.
So, we're all doing well. Lane has started football practice this week, and he's really excited about it. I just can't believe he's on the 6th grade team now, and he's as tall as I am... I feel so old and short.

I am getting my hair highlighted today... I'm a little nervous, but I'm ready for a change from the dark brown (mainly because I don't want to have to keep tanning, and a dark color on me without a tan makes me look a little goth...).

I hope you all have a great weekend!

What's up with Trent?

2008-07-24T09:55:00.000-07:00

Trent had to hae surgery yesterday to remove a cyst from his face. So, we've had kind of a hectic week, but I've managed to get a few pictures.

Trent turned rocker in the bath:

When he got out of the bath, he tried striking a few poses for the camera:

Then he agreed to let Mom get in on the action:

After a busy day of posing and Pre-Op, he took a power nap before going to socialize:

Once rested, it was time to go see his girlfriend, Brooklyn. She met us at the door and greeted Trent with a hug:

This is Brooklyn (she likes to be really close to the camera):

She's pretty silly, but a lot of fun:

The next morning, we headed to the hospital bright and early. Trent was not all that excited when he woke up in the waiting room. You can see the cyst on the side of his nose pretty well here:

He finally woke up and started playing while we were waiting to be called up.

Dad, What's that on your head?

Oh, of course, it's a horse.

I can do it, too!

Ahhh, the things we do to keep kids entertained. Anyway, the surgery went well... He has 4 stitches, and we've found out that he has an adverse reaction to Lortab... it makes him CRAZY! I will update later with post-surgery pics.

Hope all is well!!

It's been a long time...

2008-07-16T07:25:00.000-07:00

So, I know I haven't updated in a while, and I know all 2 of you who check this may have been wondering if I forgot. I didn't. I started my new job as Principal at Millcreek in Starkville, and I just didn't have a computer of my own for a little while.

Anyway, so now I'm back, and I will be doing my best to update with pictures and updates of the fam in the next few days. Hope you all are well :).

A Good Morning

2008-05-21T06:16:00.000-07:00

Trent has been suffering from a double ear infection (the first ear infection since he got tubes put in in January, so I figure making it 4 months when we used to get them every other week is pretty good). Finally, last night, he slept through the whole night and woke up this morning in a great mood! I got some really cute pictures. So, I thought I would share :).

Trent is learning the parts of his body. So, when someone says, Show me your nose, he will point to his nose. Show me your belly, he picks up his shirt and pats his belly. This is what happens when you tell him to Show me your teeth.

We were watching The Upside Down Show this morning, and this was Trent's reaction to their not knowing what a golf ball was.

This is Trent's best friend, Neigh. You can see how much he loves him.

I'm in love....

2008-05-09T13:53:00.000-07:00

... With the Juno soundtrack. Trent, Lane, and I will all sing and dance in the car to it!

Here are our favorite songs from it. Enjoy!

The Games People Play

2008-05-09T05:54:00.001-07:00

I had to go to the local high school yesterday, and I was visiting with one of the principals and a couple of teachers. They were talking about playing the game "Ashley", at least that's what I thought they were saying. They asked me if I wanted to play, and they went to explaining the rules to me.

(WARNING: some bad words follow, but I will do the best to make them look as unoffensive as possible. This story was just too precious not to share).

Apparently, the game is all about strange names of students they have encountered through the years. I will put in caps the syllable that should be emphasized. First off, the name of the game was not "Ashley", it was As-SHO-le, named after one student a friend of the teacher's had taught. These were some of the names that followed:

"AB-sid-ee" spelled Abcde
SHI-thead
Sy-PHIL-lis
Nylon (Anisa and I actually went to school with her)

There were a few more, but I don't remember all of them right now. Just wondering if any of you have any names that I could use at the next playing of what I will from now on still spell "Ashley".

Goin' Home Again

2008-05-05T12:45:00.000-07:00

It's official, I'm going to be working back in Starkville, beginning at the end of this month. This has been the first year that I actually lived and worked away from Starkvegas, and, while it was finally nice to develop some ties to Louisville, I miss my old job.

So, I will be the principal at Millcreek of Starkville Day Treatment, and I will also (hopefully, it looks good thus far) be contracting with Oktibbeha Co. Schools as a Behavior Specialist. So, that would be super cool :)

People used to tell me that Starkville would suck you in, and I guess they're right :) (I can already taste City Bagel and Mugshots!!)

Goodbye, Old Friend...

2008-04-30T13:28:00.000-07:00

Trent is off the pacifier! I know this seems trivial, but his "pap pap" has been his constant companion since Day 1 in the hospital when the only way I could get him to calm down was to let him suck on my finger, and Ronnie replaced my finger with the GINORMOUS baseball pacifier that was on our wreath.

The weekend before last, Trent hid the last of his pacifiers, and I just thought we would see what would happen if we didn't replace it. Well, other than having a little bit of trouble going back to sleep when he wakes up at night, he's done great!

It's somewhat bittersweet. It's great that Trent doesn't need his pap anymore (apparently it can really mess up his teeth or something), but it's just one more thing to remind me that my little man's growing up.

Congrats, Trent!

Party Boy

2008-04-21T12:19:00.000-07:00

We went to a birthday party this weekend for Trent's friend Sam.

It was a Spongebob party, and it was so cute with pineapples on the table and Krystal burgers filling in for Krabby Patties. Trent had a fun time, and he really loved the slide and the balloons.

Look, Mom, I can slide all by myself!

I would have to get my height from you, huh, Mom?

Poor baby...

2008-04-14T08:56:00.001-07:00

It was a crazy weekend. We had Lane's birthday party Friday night (of which I got no pictures... I know, I'm horrible), so he had two of his friends spend the night. They actually made it until 1:00 am in the treehouse before the rain scared them and they all came knocking on the door.

Saturday afternoon, they had baseball practice. So, as I was packing up the car with all of their stuff, I let Trent play in the yard. When I was walking over to get him to load him up, he tripped. A few seconds later, he started crying. Assuming that he had landed on a stick or something, I rushed over. I found ants all over his hands; he had landed in an antbed! Well, I got them all off of his hands and took his shirt off to make sure there weren't any on his belly. He had quit crying ans was jabbering away at this point. Then, in the absence of hydrocortisone, I rubbed some alcohol on his hands to try to relieve the stinging. I had to take him to Ronnie's aunt's house where Ronnie was working in her yard, anyway, and I knew that she would have some hydrocortisone.

By the time I got to his aunt's house, Lane and his friends were all asking me what was wrong with Trent's face..I turned around, and it was bright red and swelling. So, I left him with Ronnie with instructions to put some lotion on it and give him Benadryl. Ronnie called me minutes later, stating that he was headed to the ER. So, I dropped the boys off at practice, and I hauled butt to the hospital. I walked in the room, and poor Trent was bright red all over with little bumps all over him. The doctors took care of it with a shot and a couple of medicines.

He's been in a great mood this weekend, even though his hands itch terribly, and his right hand is all swollen. Now that the bites have come to a head, you can count about 40 bites on his right hand and about 5 on his left.

This was his hand Saturday night..

2008-04-11T11:29:00.001-07:00

Spring is definitely in the air! Besides the fact that everyone is sick from all the rain and pollen, there are definite signs all over the place...

Trent is giving me the Thumbs Up that he's ready to mow the lawn

Lane's playing baseball

Trent has apparently caught Spring Fever and is climbing walls

Who me? I'm innocent

He got grounded to Dad's lap for a while..

He was allowed to get down and play with his girlfriend, Brooklyn, though

Rest In Peace, Little Warrior

2008-04-07T05:53:00.000-07:00

Ethan's Website

Ethan Powell, born 5 days before my Trent, passed away Saturday, April 5th, at St. Jude's Hospital. He had been fighting Leukemia for over a year. While 16 months doesn't seem like a very long life (especially to his parents), little Ethan touched more lives than I have in my 28 years. He reminded what it is to pray and actually believe in the prayers. He reminded what faith is. Most importantly, he reminded me of priorities and how I should be enjoying my family now instead of worrying about the things of tomorrow.

So, Ethan, as you are looking down on us today, seated in Paradise and hanging out with the coolest guy who ever lived, I want to say Thank You, Little Man. You will be missed.

It's music to my ears...

2008-04-03T06:41:00.000-07:00

So, most who know me know how much I like music. And, of course, I have my favorites, and a few of them have new stuff coming out all at the same time. I know I posted about Jason Mraz's new album that's out. Also, Gavin Degraw has a new single out and is working on a new album, and a lesser known but just as talented band, Scratchtrack has just released a new album. So, I thought I would share some of these guys with you all...

Gavin Degraw - I'm in Love with a Girl:

Jason Mraz - I'm Yours:

Scratchtrack - Will You (Not the best recording of them, but all I could find):

Alanis - Shakin' that thing

2008-04-01T13:33:00.000-07:00

I love Alanis Morissette... and this cracks me up... probably a lot more than it should.

Happy Springtime!

2008-03-26T07:52:00.000-07:00

I hope everyone had a happy Easter! I ended up with pink eye in both eyes, but it's finally clearing up. For that reason and the fact that Lane was at his mom's this weekend, there are no Easter pictures this year.

I did host a baby shower for a friend last Thursday night, and this is the diaper cake that I made for her. (I added decorations like pacifiers, baby booties, etc. later on when I had it all set up):

Trent has learned to drive the little car at his Gran Gran & Pop's house (though he drives it mostly in reverse). However, I think he may be a little too aggressive with the horn.

So, last Thursday was the first official day of Spring... I hope everyone is enjoying at least a little bit of Spring Fever :)

Goodness to my lobes!

2008-03-18T13:26:00.000-07:00

SWEET!!

Jason Mraz's first EP, We Sing, from his album We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things. has come out for order and digital download today! I, being the impatient sort, did the digital download, and I am so in bliss right now. I had live versions of a few of the songs, but recorded is always so much clearer and better. Go check it out... If you click the "music" box on the front page of JasonMraz.com you can hear previews of the songs.

Let me know if you enjoy :)

From warm to wintry

2008-03-07T09:40:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was so sunny and warm that we just had to get outside and play.... Since Lane starts baseball Sunday with his first practice, he and Ronnie decided to practice throwing, catching, and pitching.

I took Trent for a wagon ride and convinced him to pose for me a couple of times.

Lane, however, was not all that enthused to get his picture taken...

Now it's booty cold outside and there's talk of snow (talk is usually about all we get in the way of snow, but who knows what might happen). But next week is Spring Break, so I'm crossing my fingers for at least one pretty day :) I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Congrats, Kendy!!

2008-03-03T13:41:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to the Jenkins and Kosko families on the birth of Caroline Matilda Kosko!

My Guy...

2008-02-20T12:35:00.000-08:00

I stole this from Anisa's blog, and I'm procrastinating :)

1. Who is your man? Ronnie
2. How long have you been together? We began dating Sept. 3, 2004... we married April 16, 2005
3. How long did you date? We dated 5 mos. before we got engaged and then we got married 2 mos. later
4. How old is your man? 31
5. Who eats more? Ronnie, but he can SOO afford it
6. Who said "I love you" first? Ronnie, and I was scared out of my mind to say it back
7. Who is taller? Ronnie, by about 5-6", but it's not too hard to beat me in height
8. Who sings better? Probably Ronnie, but I sing more and much louder :)
9. Who is smarter? I'm better at memorizing, but he's much more intellectual than I am... He watches the History Channel and Discovery Channel, and I watch E! and Hannah Montana :)
10. Whose temper is worse? Mine, hands down
11. Who does the laundry? Both of us... usually he washes and I fold and put up
12. Who takes out the garbage? Both of us, but he drives it to the end of the driveway for trash day(we have a long driveway)
13. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? If we're laying in bed, he's on the right side. If you're looking at the bed, I am
14. Who pays the bills? Me
15. Who is better with the computer? Me
16. Who mows the lawn? We fight over it (We have a zero-turn mower, and I LOVE it)
17. Who cooks dinner? Usually me, but he tries to help out when I don't feel well or have had a hard day
18. Who drives when you are together? Depends on whose car we're in usually...
19. Who pays when you go out? Ronnie usually pays.. Funny story, Lane (my step-son) got mad at me one time because he said I always made his dad pay for stuff and I never paid. We had to explain to him that we share the money and it all comes out of the same place.
20. Who is most stubborn? Depends on when you're asking... we're both pretty "strong-willed"
21. Who is the first to admit when they are wrong? Both of us are willing to admit it...I'm just wrong most often :)
22. Whose parents do you see the most? His... they live about 5 minutes away, and we go to the same church, but they're really great.
23. Who kissed who first? Ronnie kissed me on our third date.
24. Who asked who out? We were actually set up on a blind date by my co-worker and his cousin, but Ronnie called me to set it up
25. Who proposed? Ronnie asked me while we were watching the movie "Ray"... he was SO nervous, and I wasn't expecting it. He had even asked my dad for permission... how sweet is that?!?
26. Who is more sensitive? I get my feelings hurt much more easily, but he's sensitive in the sense of being emotionally connected.
27. Who has more friends? Me
28. Who has more siblings? We each have one older sister.

Happy Valentine's Day!!

2008-02-14T12:51:00.000-08:00

Trent finally got to wear his "Official Heartbreaker" shirt today, but he was too interested in the dog for me to get a decent picture...

However, on this picture, the dog was jumping up and down behind the camera. So, that helped..

Anyway, Trent and I hope you all have a happy and romantic Valentine's Day!!

For those who need instructions

2008-02-13T12:30:00.001-08:00

More here..

Not that it's interesting to anyone but me...

2008-02-13T11:25:00.001-08:00

So, I bought the boys' Easter outfits the other day, but with Lane, he doesn't want to be all cutesie nor dressed just like his little brother. However, I want them to look similar so the pictures will turn out cute.

So, Lane got this shirt:

And Trent this outfit (Lane already has the same pants and some brown shoes):

Oh, and by the way Endless.com is having a sale right now and paying customers $5 to use overnight shipping. (In other words, you get sale price + $5 off + overnight shipping + some Godiva chocolate (according to the website) = Crazy Great!!) I got Trent's Robeez for a total of $11.89, which is AWESOME!

I've been tagged

2008-02-01T06:00:00.000-08:00

Anisa tagged me to write 7 random facts about me... I'll do my best :)

1. I feign confidence... I am scared to death in public (verging on social anxiety). I'm scared of pretty people, well-dressed people, and anyone who exhudes confidence. I'm also scared that I will fall, say something completely inappropriate or weird, or drop stuff that I am carrying. In short, I am scared of coming off as clumsy or stupid. I often come off as being stuck-up because I am just too scared to talk to anyone. However, I can say that I have a lot of pretty and well-dressed friends... it's credited to them, though, for approaching me :).

2. I love romantic comedies.... I used to pride myself in not being absorbed by "girly"movies, but I watched one (Love, Actually I think)and it caught me. I just love the whole fairy tale, prince charming thing. When I would watch them while I was single, I would wish that there was actually love like that in the world... Now, when I watch them, I can relate.

3. I believe in prayer... 100%. I pray about everything... and in little prayers throughout the day. I guess it is because so many HUGE things have come out of my prayers. I do admit that I get a little impatient about it all, I kinda want a pray now, receive now kind of relationship, and that's not how it works, but I think it's absolutely amazing when I can see an answer to a prayer (good or bad).

4. I am a rockstar.... in my car. I will turn the music down just enough where my voice is louder than the actual performer, and I will sing my heart out. I will say, though, that there was a car-singing drought when Vh1 had that show where they filmed people singing in their cars, but when I thoroughly convinced myself that my car was not bugged, I resumed.

5. I feel guilty when I watch The Biggest Loser. I LOVE that show... but whenever I watch it, I make new resolutions about how I'm going to start jogging the next day or actually going to stick to my diet for more than three days faithfully. I never do....

6. I delete pictures of myself from the digital camera so that my husband can't print them out. I don't like pictures of myself (I didn't even like them back when I was a size 2). I feel like the camera should show the same thing that I see in the mirror, and I do my best to destroy any proof otherwise.

7. I want a hobby... I don't have one. I would love to be able to draw, sing , write, knit, anything... but I can't. Sometimes I get this feeling that I would love to create something... anything. But I have no medium wherein I can create it. It sucks...

Ok... I am so supposed to tag someone else... but I don't really no if anyone else reads this. So, Anisa & Kendy, I know you've answered this multiple times. But I guess if you're bored, you could do it again :)

I'd stop to smell the flowers if there were any

2008-01-29T10:34:00.000-08:00

With the cold weather, I haven't been as faithful with my walking regimen as I would like, but I went yesterday to my walking place, a local park with lots of hills and scenery. I didn't go to walk, but I went, instead, to just calm my mind and enjoy the scenery. Whenever my mind gets overwhelmed, I like to just drive and listen to music. It's not that I was upset about anything, but I've just been thinking a lot about jobs, building a house, events I'm responsible for planning, kids I'm working with, etc. So, as I rode around jamming to Rocket Man and Galaxy (complete with the Big Mac verse), this is the view I had...

I love winter with the warm sweaters, cozy blankets, and steaming cups of hot cocoa, but I miss spring for all of its flowers, butterflies, and songbirds. So, instead of stopping to smell the flowers, I tripped over this..

Green is the new black, and bowls are the new hats.

2008-01-28T10:10:00.000-08:00

It's amazing to me to think that at this time last year, Trent was just a bundle of baby that could do nothing for himself, and now he's walking, talking Trentonese, and apparently learning to dress himself. He's obviously got his mom's fashion sense.

All parents will tell you that time goes faster when you have a little one... I can't figure out why. Is it because we're just too busy to feel the time fleeting? Is it because we're so tired our memories can't last long enough to realize how much time has actually passed? Or is it because we are so enthralled with these little creatures that everything else around us just melts away and doesn't matter anymore?

So, here's to bowls on our heads, blankets in our hands, and daddy's boots on our feet.

Frah-Jee-Lay... It must be French

2008-01-25T13:28:00.001-08:00

Everytime I see the word "Fragile" it reminds me of A Christmas Story when the dad gets that awul lamp (which, by the way, has a Christmas ornament made in its likeness, that I begged my husband to let me get this year... I was shot down, just as if he were holding an official Red Ryder, carbine action, two-hundred shot range model air rifle).

I love this picture because, other than the fact it has my baby in a box, which never seems to grow old with me, it states, "Do not freeze. Do not drop." If only all babies came with instructions, huh?

Initiation

2008-01-25T11:19:00.000-08:00

So, in the past, I've been not so great about keeping up a blog. We'll see if this endeavor is any different. Anyway, this is coming along with a resolution (not a New Year's resolution, just a general "this is what I want to do" kind of thing) to start taking more pictures of more things, not just snapshots of my family, in an attempt to appreciate God's creations a little more. OK... and the fact that I'm trying to find justification in purchasing a new digital camera, and a little more use and practice of the current one would help me out a lot.

So, as a start, I'll introduce myself:

I'm Julie

This is my family:

Ronnie (hubs) , Lane (step-son), & Trent (son)