we had KE's pics taken this morning and I just thought I would share with you all my little dacning queen

Louie Giglio - Laminin

Okay... this is the "Best Kept Secret of the day!"

Touched

I have been touched by blogging. It all started by getting an email to a video link a few weeks ago. It showed the story of the young couple who lost thier baby ( I posted it a while back) Along with that video was thier blog Bring the Rain that I follow. If you don't already read her blog, I encourage you to do so. Since then, I have stumbled upon several other blogs and sites of couples who have lost thier babies. The amazing thing about them is that they are all Christians and give God the glory for what they did have. I torture myself when reading these stories because it rips my heart out but at the same time, I'm so encouraged and reminded of what God has done for me. I'am so thankful to our creator for the babies He has blessed me and T with. Babies really are a gift from God. It is up to us what we do with these gifts.



You probably already know about the tragedy in Steven Curtis Chapman's life this past week but I have been reminded of it so much that I feel I need to ask you all to keep his family in your prayers... esp his teenage son. If you don't know what happened, his son accidently hit thier 5 year old adopted daughter in the driveway, killing her. She is the one sitting in her daddy's lap below.......

Best Kept Secret

I love to share new things. You know that thing you come across that you just gotta share with your closest friends? That is kind of what i'm going to do here. I hope you find my tips or findings as rewarding as I do!!

Did you know that the public bathrooms in the back of most Walmart's are really clean?? I mean, they even have fresh flowers in there!

If you are trying to cut back on the calories ( and you love chocolate) a great snack is a rice cake with smuckers natural peanut butter.... sprinkle a few milk chocolate chips and nuke it in the microwave... DELICIOUS!

Did I say that the Hilton Garden Inn in Meridian has the most heavenly bed?

Thanks

Thanks to all of you for your grad gift suggestions. The guys got cold hard cash and the girls got these fabulous hard cases . I just love them! Oh and the site I found the cases ( to show a pic) sell them for waayyyy cheaper than what I paid so take advantage!

L is for........

Layouts!!!!

If you visit this blog often, you will notice I like to change my layout. I'm a sucker for a new one and I get bored with the same one.... I need to use my time more wisely..huh?

More Meridian pics....

the gang

the graduates

The Lang's

BFF

Weekend in Meridian

This weekend we went to Meridian to celebrate my neice graduating high school. The kids had a blast and we did too. I highly recommed the Hilton Garden Inn if you need a place to stay there. Beds like heaven!

lindsay and her bf... tyler

wade slip n' slidin for the first time

KE has completed kindergarten!

K is for.......

KITCHENS!

I think the most favorite thing to check out on other people's homes are thier kitchens. I love to see what thier ideas of a complete kitchen is. My kitchen is small but I do love it. It's cozy. I could use some extra counter space... it gets a little crowded when I do my serious cooking/baking.

Some of the things I like in other kitchens are: granite countertops of course, the veggie sink, the mini-fridge for drinks, the pull out trash drawer ( I'm getting this one!) , a double oven with a warming drawer, a spice drawer where you can see everything (I NEED this), an ice maker... ok I could go on and on......

Here are a couple of pics of kitchens I like..... I love the idea of two islands.. one where I can make a big cooking mess and the other for guests to watch and talk.

OH and I love Big walk-in pantries!

Any Suggestions?

With graduation here, I have several seniors to buy for. The only problem is what to get them?

Maybe with your help, I can get them the perfect gift. I'am buying for girls and boys.

Please send me any suggestions you might think would be great... from inexpensive to not so inexpensive will be fine. Do you remember a really great, useful gift you received?

Too Cute!!!

Look what came in the mail Friday!! I got some other things as well, but they are gifts so I can't show them! :) Go To Doodle Bugs Paper and look at the adorable stuff!

Summer is near!

How do you like my new "summertime" page? I'm still deciding on whether or not to have a custom page done, but for now, this will work.

I had to put all of my blogging friend's links back on my page as I lost them while getting my makeover. If I forgot you, it isn't on purpose. I tried to find everyone again. If you aren't on my list, please send a message!

Last night we helped Cat throw her hubby, Tripp a 40th surprise party. It turned out great even though it was humid. We had a band and the works. The rain didn't start until 10:30. He was really surprised. I can't wait to have Torrey's and invite his old high school and college friends!

the guys waiting on the guest of honor

the birthday boy (on the left)

I hope that you all had a wonderful mother's day today! I woke up to breakfast in bed, a love note from Torrey, and homemade goodies from my sweet children. I slept too long to get ready in time for Sunday school. We made it to church and it was packed. We celebrated a baptism, graduating seniors and communion. We have such a wonderful church family and Kent does such a wonderful job relaying the message that if you are a believer in Jesus Christ and He is your personal Lord and Savior, you are welcomed to partake in communion. This is how it should be. If you really stop and think about what communion means, it will humble you. After church we headed to Flavor's for a delicious meal. If you have never been, I highly recommend it!

today after lunch

Do you trust Him?

I received an e-mail yesterday morning with a video link to one family's story of heartache and faith. It is so inspirational and so heart wrenching at the same time. Since then, it has made me think of alot of things...... I have NO right to complain about the smallest of "problems" --- God really does make everything work together for the greater good--- I want that kind of faith and trust in God.---

Okay, I'm warning you.... it will make you cry but it would be a shame not to watch and learn from this family's story that they feel they must share with YOU.

click here

A Day Away from the Norm

A friend of mine told me one of my kids called her today. I know exactly when it was. We were in Target and to keep the boys quiet (I know) I gave them the cell phone. She said all she heard was W talking and I said a couple of words, then alot of noise.


I get phone calls like this from time to time. I listen for a few minutes to try and make out what the people are saying in hopes of hearing some dirt! Did I just say that?!



Amy and I took our boys to Jackson for a fun filled day at the park ( yes, we have to go all the way to Jxn for a decent park) and Chick-Fil-A. KE was in Jackson as well with her kindergarten class visiting the zoo and science museum.At the park I ran into Mauri-- the one who just had the baby and takes awesome pictures-- I got to converse with other moms too. It was a nice change of scenery.

We will be headed to Meridian tomorrow after lunch. My younger niece has her confirmation tomorrow night. I went here and got her a gift she is going to love.........I want one myself. I can't tell you what it is in case she reads this...

I have become quite the coffee drinker. Before I started drinking "real" coffee, I loved the cappuccino chiller from TCBY and the french vanilla cappuccino from the Exxon station. Coming home from Jackson I tried Mickey D's ice coffee..........YUK. Don't even bother. No good. It tasted like stale, cold coffee.

I was inspired today! Inspired to do a little project. It consists of getting rid of my headaches. It will take 4 months. I'm on board now so in 4 months I will let you know if it worked and reveal the secret.

Hmmmm.. okay. I will put it to rest for today. I thought I could go all day without logging on, but temptation got the best of me! Goodnight!

Saturday afternoon, the kids were outside playing when KE spotted a baby bird on our patio. My first thoughts were, OH No!! How did that poor thing get here? The nearest tree was at least 20 feet away. We watched it for a bit then I made the kids stay away in case the mother bird came back. I know once you touch a bird, the mother won't have anything to do with it. Finally we went inside and checked back later. The bird was gone. I hope it's ok but T said more than likley one of the cats got it. :(

I've been Tagged....

maybe I should go back to school and find a cure for migraines. We just spent $400 on migraine meds for me which will last maybe 3 months.
i love the smell of a clean baby, Torrey after he showers and shaves, and a clean house... I like clean things
people would say I'm outspoken, over the top at times, passionate about what I believe in.
i don't understand why people think it's ok to harm helpless babies and children.
when I wake up in the a.m. i'm usually not quite ready to get up.
i lost my willpower to eat right and exercise. I do good for about a week then , forget it! I love to eat!
life is a gift from God.
my past made me realize what I don't want to be.
i get annoyed when people say they will do something and then don't.
parties are not a good time to try out a new recipe.
dogs are sweet but I'm not a pet person even though we have a dog.I have 3 kids to take care of! I wish them no harm and hate to see any animal hurt.
cats are yuk and they won't stay out from under my carport.
tomorrow is hopefully going to be a day I don't wake up with a headache.
i have low tolerance for fake people.
i'm totally terrified of heights!
i wonder why we are never satisfied with what we have.
never in my life have I smoked pot.
high school was the worst and best times of my life.
when i'm nervous my heart beats out of my chest and I feel like everyone around me can hear it.
one time at a family gathering I was dissapointed.
live each day in thanks and praise.
making my bed is something that gets done maybe 4 times a week.
i'm almost always planning something.
i'm addicted to Fox news and the internet. This includes blogging, e-mail, research, Ebay.. to name a few.

I tag Kristina, Sarah, Memory and Lauren.

A New Addition

Welcome baby Leland!!

My friend, Mauri just had her 3rd and I wanted to give a big congrats to their sweet family! You can welcome him too... just click here!

A little Guilty....

I'm feeling a little guilty for posting that pic of my neice and not bragging on my other neice who is also beautiful......





See.....

This is the best pic I have of her by herself....

Here are both girls from beauty revue this past year...

She never wears her hair striaght.. she has naturally curly locks.... It looks awesome both ways

Okay, you think I have made my peace?

oh and then there's the boy "J"..... My sister-in-law and her husbnd are doing something right!

They are 3 great kids...

J is for.....

Juicy........bet you thought I was going to say Jesus, huh?

When I visit the post office ( and it has been a while) I look forward to seeing Ms Mary and her smiling face. She is precious and she loves my boys. When W was a baby baby, she would come out to the van and say Ohhhhh he's so Juicy! I wish I had an audio of it. I got the biggest kick out of it. I'm assuming she was referring to his fat legs and healthiness-is that a word? Like sweet baby girl sporting the rain boots below. I need to take N to see her. I feel bad that I didn't early on. I was going so much then because I was selling KE's clothes on Ebay. I think I may get back to selling.

Here are pics of my juicy babies...........

KE with her doll, Edy. Edy is now in her hope chest as of this year.

W lovin music at an early age

sweet N posing that Kenny Chesney smile

WOW

I have almost hit the 3000 visits mark since March the 1st. That is unreal to me in my little world. ( and that is not my visits either because I made sure it didn't count when I check my page :)
There must be some folks stalking my blog and not introducing themselves. I know my friends love me and all. Show some love and leave a comment!

A New Find

Most of you know I love children's clothes and I stumbled upon a line that is precious! I admire all of these ladies that use thier creative talents on unique clothing. There are some for us mamas too! Check it out!

(Oh and look at those sweet chunky legs!)

I is for........

Intimidation : intentional behavior "which would cause a person of ordinary sensibilities" fear of injury or harm. (wikipedia)



Certain people or situations may intimidate us. The core of this is fear.
As I continue to study the book of Isaiah, I learn more and more what it means to fear the Lord and nothing else.

Do not fear anything except the Lord Almighty. He alone is the Holy One. If you fear Him, You need fear nothing else. He will keep you safe. Isaiah 8:13-14

These words are very comforting . Why should we be intimidated by anything when we have the assurance of the Lords protection?
If we seek out the Lord's help in life's intimidating situations, He will be there. As scary as it may seem while you are in the moment, I can assure you this is true. Well, for one, the Bible tells me so!

The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.
Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you. Psalm 9:9-10